education

Prominent rights activist Sarah Bireete, detained on December 30 after questioning the accuracy of the voter register ahead of Uganda's January 15 general election, has been granted bail. Bireete, who leads the Centre for Constitutional Governance, faced charges for the alleged unlawful disclosure of voters' information. Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko approved Bireete's release after she met the necessary bail conditions. Her detention sparked widespread condemnation from both local and international human rights…

Hundreds of pupils across Namibia remain unenrolled three weeks into the new academic year because of a nationwide shortage of classrooms, the Ministry of Education confirmed, as frustrated parents in densely populated regions press for swift action. The situation is most acute in the Khomas region, the country’s economic hub, where officials say there is a critical lack of space for Grade 8 students. Parents and community leaders report children staying at home while schools struggle to accommodate incoming classes,…

The Impact of Prolonged School Closures in Sudan Sudan faces an alarming educational crisis as millions of children remain out of school due to ongoing conflict. This section explores the core issues contributing to one of the world's longest school closures. Over eight million children in Sudan face nearly 500 days without formal education. Conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hinders educational access. Schools are either closed, damaged, or repurposed as shelters, particularly in…

Nigerian Authorities Secure Release of Remaining Schoolchildren Abducted in Niger State Nigerian authorities have announced the successful release of the final 130 schoolchildren and staff abducted from St. Mary's Catholic boarding school in Papiri, Niger state, effectively bringing an end to one of the country’s most harrowing mass kidnappings. The ordeal began on November 21, when more than 250 individuals were taken during a brazen attack. Earlier this month, about 100 children had been freed, and 50 were reported to…

Unity Schools Reopen Amid Enhanced Security Measures The government has announced the reopening of 47 unity schools that were closed in November following a surge in school abductions. With the implementation of strengthened security measures around affected campuses, academic activities have fully resumed. In a recent statement, the Ministry of Education explained that the closures had been prompted by mass abductions in Kebbi and Niger states. Notably, at least 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a school in Kebbi, while…

President Peter Mutharika has announced the cancellation of almost all school-related fees in Malawi, saying the move fulfills a key campaign promise and ordering that "no public school should be requesting learners to make contributions towards the School Development Fund and any other fees, except boarding fees." The directive, disclosed in a presidential statement, is intended to reduce the financial barrier to primary and secondary education and to boost enrollment and completion rates. Malawi currently posts a primary…

Students Escape from Kidnapping in Niger State Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations In a harrowing incident that has sparked national outrage, fifty out of more than 300 students and 12 teachers kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger State have successfully escaped and have been reunited with their families. The escape comes amidst an intensifying military-led search and rescue operation aimed at locating the remaining victims, who are still held captive by their abductors. This kidnapping incident follows a troubling…

SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa faces what health researchers call a “vaping crisis” among adolescents while a long-promised overhaul of the country’s tobacco laws sits largely dormant. The draft Tobacco Bill published in 2018 — designed to extend smoke-free public spaces, introduce plain packaging and ban point-of-sale displays for both cigarettes and electronic cigarettes — has yet to clear the long road from proposal to law, leaving regulators and public-health advocates alarmed as youth nicotine use climbs. A 2024 study of…

Security Concerns Mount Following Distressing School Abduction in Niger State Authorities in northern Niger State are grappling with the fallout from a "distressing" abduction of students and staff from a local school. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, underscores the increasing volatility in the region. A senior government official confirmed that the abduction took place after a violent attack in the area. This distressing event unfolded in the context of previously reported intelligence…

Gunmen Strike Despite Security Presence in Kebbi State In a shocking incident that has left a community shaken, armed assailants launched a raid in Kebbi State, Nigeria, resulting in multiple casualties. Reports indicate that the attackers infiltrated the area via the densely wooded Zamfara forests, demonstrating their ability to bypass military checkpoints that were supposed to ensure safety in the region. Fatalities and Community Impact The violent raid resulted in the tragic deaths of a school teacher and a local…