Category: Education

In a world where the traditional boundaries of education are constantly shifting, Kenyan teacher Priscilla Wanjiku Karanja, popularly known as Teacher Cillah, has emerged as a trailblazer, revolutionizing the way students learn through the captivating power of dance and creativity.

The dedicated primary school teacher began her journey of educational innovation in 2019 when she first ventured into creating educational content on TikTok.

Through her ingenious use of short yet captivating TikTok videos, Priscilla makes her lessons fun.

Each video encapsulates key concepts through energetic dances.

"I believe that learning should be a joyful experience, something that children look forward to," Priscilla says.

"Most of my students who are in primary school were introverted, they never used to participate in class activities, now they are not, TikTok provides a platform where I can engage with my students in a language they understand, the language of creativity and fun," she adds.

Priscilla's videos not only engage her students during scheduled lessons but also serve as educational tools cleverly disguised as entertainment.

Her passion for teaching and her commitment to seeing her students excel drive her every day.

She told Anadolu that she firmly believes that a happy student is a successful one, and her innovative teaching methods reflect this philosophy.

Success stories

Unbeknownst to the viewers who are mostly young students, these seemingly effortless dance routines are well-crafted mechanisms designed to aid in memory retention and concept comprehension.

"I never thought I could enjoy learning so much," confesses Mary, a seventh-grade student who is an avid follower of Priscilla's TikTok account. "Her dances make me feel like I'm part of something bigger, like I'm dancing and learning with friends."

Parents too are recognizing the transformative impact of Priscilla's approach.

"My son used to be disinterested in studying," says Patricia Njeri, a mother of two. "But now, he eagerly waits for Priscilla's TikTok lessons. It's amazing to see him learning and having fun simultaneously."

Calling

Priscilla's fascination with teaching began during her own childhood, when she found joy in helping her younger siblings with their studies.

This early experience ignited her passion for education and inspired her to pursue a career in teaching. She dedicated herself to her studies, earning a degree in education with a focus on lower primary education.

Upon completing her formal education, Priscilla embarked on her teaching career in a local primary school in Nairobi.

It was during her time as a classroom teacher that she realized the potential of technology and creative approaches to engage her students in a more profound way.

This realization led her to explore innovative teaching methods, eventually leading her to TikTok, where she discovered a unique platform to combine her love for education and creativity.

Taking students under her wing

In one of her recent heartwarming videos, Priscilla proudly shared the story of one of her students, Joshua.

Joshua had initially struggled to complete his homework and was known for being a bit mischievous in class.

Determined to make a difference, Priscilla took Joshua under her wing, offering personalized guidance and support.

Thanks to her dedication and mentorship, Joshua's transformation was remarkable. He not only began finishing all his homework but also saw a significant improvement in his grades.

His fellow students recognized his leadership qualities, and some even suggested him as a potential class leader.

'Joshua's journey represents the essence of teaching, the power to inspire change. It fills me with joy to witness his growth, not just as a student but also as a leader. Joshua embodies the spirit of learning and resilience that we strive to foster in all our students,' she said.

Priscilla's connection with her students goes beyond the classroom, she values their feedback and cherishes the moments when they approach her for advice.

For her, teaching is not just a profession; it's a calling, and the well-being and success of her students are at the core of her mission.

Onwards and upwards

Looking forward, Priscilla aims to expand her reach and collaborate with fellow educators to create a diverse range of educational content.

As Priscilla continues to dance her way into the hearts and minds of her students, she envisions a future where education is not only just about textbooks and exams, but also about igniting curiosity, fostering creativity, and inspiring a lifelong love for learning.

Source: Anadolu Agency

In 2022, 81% of recent graduates from secondary and higher education aged 20 - 34 in Cyprus were employed (82% in the EU), according to data shared by Eurostat ahead of International Youth Day on August 12th.

From 2014 to 2022, the employment rate for this group in Cyprus rose by 12 percentage points (pp), showing a general rising trend interrupted only in 2017, and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In the EU during the same period, the percentage rose by 7 percentage points (pp), showing a consistent rising trend interrupted only by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The employment rate in 2022 marked a new peak in the EU, surpassing the previous high of 81% achieved in 2018, a rate that had remained unchanged in 2019. In Cyprus, the 81% employment rate in 2022 was the second highest in the period since 2014, with the highest being 82% in 2019. It is worth noting that between the first available data in 2000 and 2014 there was a gradual drop in the employment rate of this specific population group from 90% to 69%.

The employment rate for recent male graduates has consistently been higher than that for recent female graduates in the EU between 2014 and 2022. However, in 2022, the gap was narrowed down to 2 pp, marking the smallest disparity recorded in this period. Meanwhile, the largest disparity between 2014 and 2022 was recorded in 2019 (4 pp).

The disparities in employment rates may be explained by the differences in labour market demand as well as gender inequalities in the fields in the survey. Women and men tend to study different fields - for example, a higher proportion of science and technology students tend to be male.

In Cyprus during the same period (2014 - 2022) the employment rate for women was mostly higher than that for men, with the gap in favour of women being the highest in 2018 (9 pp). The only years where women did not have the largest percentage were 2014 (when rates were equal), 2019 (when the rate among men was higher by 6 pp) and 2022 (when the rate among men was higher by 8 pp).

In 2022, at national level, employment rates of recent graduates were highest in Luxembourg and the Netherlands (both 93%), Germany (92%) and Malta (91%).

Meanwhile, the lowest rates were reported in Italy (65%), Greece (66%) and Romania (70%).

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Several high schools across Türkiye will admit students based on the Centralised High School Transition System (LGS) exam results, a first in the country’s highly evolved education system.

The collaboration between the Ministry of National Education and the labour market has led to the signing of several protocols to address the demand for skilled professionals. Some schools now offer graduates job guarantees and scholarships to support their academic journey.

Successful applicants will gain access to valuable internships and potential careers within Türkiye’s thriving defence industry.

The spectrum of vocational and technical education covers over 60 diverse fields, including defence, aviation and cyber security.

Vocational schools aim to create a skilled and versatile workforce by providing ample opportunities in these sectors.

Growing student interest

Results from last year’s LGS exam showed an increasing interest among students in these vocational high schools, whose success drew attention to the opportunities they offer.

This year, the aviation and space technologies sector will witness the opening of two new promising aviation high schools: Ankara Elmadag Ozdemir Bayraktar Aviation and Space Technologies Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School and Istanbul Basaksehir Baykar National Technology Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School.

With their cutting-edge curriculum, these schools are expected to accommodate students based on their performance in the central exam.

Elevating aerospace future

The Ankara Elmadag Ozdemir Bayraktar Aviation and Space Technologies Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School will offer three main branches: Design and Manufacturing, Propulsion Systems, and Electronic Systems.

With a total capacity of 60 students, the school is ready to nurture the next generation of aerospace experts. Internship opportunities at esteemed institutions like TUSAS, ROKETSAN, ASELSAN, TEI, and the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK) await successful candidates.

Similarly, the Istanbul Basaksehir Baykar National Technology Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School will accept 50 students for its Aviation and Space Technology and Information Technologies departments.

The school has forged strategic partnerships to provide students with internships and promising job opportunities in collaboration with Baykar, Türkiye’s pioneer defence company.

As Türkiye's aviation and space industries continue to flourish, these specialised vocational schools offer a gateway to fulfilling careers in these dynamic sectors.

The country's young talent will have the chance to shine on a global stage and contribute to the nation’s progress.

Source: TRTworld.com

Turkish envoy to US Hasan Murat Mercan has warned Washington of potential implications of hundreds of schools in America being run by FETO terrorist organisation, the group behind the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Türkiye.

"FETO terrorist organisation distinguishes itself under the pretext of social work, education, and business friendliness," Mercan said during a commemoration ceremony at the Turkish embassy in Washington, DC to observe the seventh anniversary of the defeated coup attempt.

He said FETO operates in around 160 countries, and principles of "reason and morality are set aside" in such terror organisations.

"In reality, only in the US they operate over 230 charter schools with over 800 million dollars annual revenue," Mercan said.

The Turkish top diplomat in US pointed out the concerning fact that hundreds of thousands of children in the US are being educated in these charter schools, cautioning both his "friends in the United States" and "in other societies as well" about the potential implications.

"How these people can inflict and will inflict their evil feelings, evil ideas, evil objectives to those innocent kids, innocent people?" Mercan asked.

"They are more threat to democracies than any other else," he said. "When they get a chance, they will try to break the democratic structures".

The ceremony commenced on Friday with a moment of silence and the recital of the national anthem, followed by a Quran recitation in honour of the victims of 2016 defeat coup bid.

July 15 is observed in Türkiye as Democracy and National Unity Day.

The event was attended by a gathering of nearly 200 individuals, including numerous US officials, representatives from diplomatic missions of various countries, and 14 ambassadors.

US State Department Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt, and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics Vice Admiral Ricky Williamson were among the attendees of the commemoration ceremony.

Mercan also thanked the attendees to "commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice on July 15, 2016, while defending Turkish democracy".

"We are at an age and time where defending and reserving our democracy is ever more important. Otherwise, we will all fail to deliver a peaceful and prosperous future for our people," he said.

FETO and its US-based chief, Fetullah Gulen, orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in which 252 people were killed and 2,734 wounded.

Ankara says FETO is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

Gulen continues to live in self-exile in the US near Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, since 1999.

Supporter for Türkiye

Congressperson Ryan Zinke, who represents the state of Montana, sent a video message to the commemoration event, in which he wished a "happy Democracy and Unity Day".

Zinke also thanked Türkiye for its help with the refugees in Syria, and for recognising Sweden as a NATO member.

"Türkiye again remains a steadfast ally, important in negotiations of peace in the region," he added.

Congressperson Pete Sessions of Texas said he was pleased to join the ceremony as a "strong supporter of Türkiye and the relationship between our two great nations".

"Thank you for taking time to remember not only the past, but also the great relationship that can exist, will exist and must exist between our two great nations," he said.

Among the other speakers were Dr Mohsin Ansari, the president of Islamic Circle of North America [ICNA], Paolo Von Schirach, the president of the Global Policy Institute, Mark Meirowitz, the professor of Humanities at SUNY Maritime College, and Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Source: TRTworld.com

The only way is to find a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem, said the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Athena Michaelidou, who addressed the concert "Odes of Famagusta", organised by the Cyprus Research Centre (CRC) on Tuesday.

"In this direction, the only way is to find a sustainable and functional solution, which will allow the overall settlement of the Cyprus issue", underlined the Minister.

"Only through a solution that will reunite our country, freeing it from the occupying armies, the anachronistic guarantee treaties and the invasive rights of third countries, will justice prevail in our country," she indicated.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Young Cypriot Diaspora members aged 18-22 are currently on their annual educational trip to Cyprus, as part of the Nepomak-Discover Cyprus Program, the Service of Overseas and Repatriated Cypriots said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the Service, 37 young Cypriots living abroad will live from July 3 to 24 a unique experience including Greek language, culture and dance lessons, as well as many guided tours to get to know the history, tradition and beauty of the island, while having the opportunity to build long-lasting friendships with other fellow diaspora members.

It is added that the above programme is part of the wider national strategy of Cypriots in Diaspora with the active participation of young expatriates for the preservation of their culture and national identity as a key pillar.

It is also noted that earlier today the Head Service of Overseas and Repatriated Cypriots, together with service officials, met with the participants of the NDCP programme at the University of Cyprus, where they reside and participate in the Greek language and culture courses.

It is noted that during the meeting special emphasis was given to the Memoranda of Understanding signed with almost all the university institutions of Cyprus and the scholarships they offer to young Diaspora members, while various ways to better inform and promote the programs and activities of the Service through social media were also discussed.

The programme is financially supported by the state budget and is implemented in cooperation between the Service of Overseas and Repatriated Cypriots and the Cyprus Youth Organization, the University of Cyprus and NEPOMAK, the statement concludes.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Our goal is for Cyprus to become an upgraded and quality educational and research center, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday, addressing the graduation ceremony of the School of Business Administration of the University of Nicosia.

He announced that very soon the government will begin a public consultation with universities with the aim of forming a strategy to this end, before the end of 2023, in order to achieve the common goals.

The President said that Ministers of Education, Interior, Labor and Foreign Affairs have already been informed about a working document prepared by the Presidency.

He said that this document provides for the further strengthening of the quality of higher education by giving more opportunities to students who choose to study in Cyprus, giving more incentives to universities based on indicators of quality.

Christodoulides also said that the government being fully aware of the great importance that quality higher education has for our country, is taking targeted measures, with the ultimate goal of turning our country into a quality, regional and international, educational center. He noted that quality of studies is the key to being able to develop and emerge as a reliable educational center.

He congratulated the students who graduated last night and praised the University of Nicosia for the very important work carried out.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The educational level of Germans continues to decline, according to a study by the German Economic Institute (IW), an independent think tank.

Parts of the study were pre-published Monday by the German business daily Handelsblatt.

The proportion of 25- to 64-year-olds having no vocational training is 21%. In 2014, it was 16%.

According to the study, in 2022, around 15% of all Germans between the ages of 25 and 35 will also have a lower level of education than their parents.

This corresponds to a fivefold increase within the last two decades. Men are affected more often than women.

Only 20% of all Germans have a higher level of education than their parents.

The trend is the opposite for children from immigrant families. Some 8% of these children have a higher level of education than their parents. In 2000, this figure was only 3%.

In view of the latest results of various school tests, the study warned of a probable further decline in the nationwide level of education.

It was "to be feared that the proportion of people without completed vocational training could rise even further in the coming years."

The study called for more support for children with learning difficulties, especially in language support. This should start as early as possible, i.e. in kindergartens and elementary schools.

Only then, according to the institute, will the coming generations be able to replace the older ones on the labor market in such a way that the level of prosperity of the Germans is not endangered.

Source: Anadolu Agency

A kick-off meeting of the project "Academy for Transitional Skills in the Built Environment" (BuildSkills Academy), financed under the Erasmus+ Programme, co-financed by the European Union took place in Sofia, between 26-28 June.

Three different organisations are participating in the project from Cyprus, which with their knowledge and experience will contribute positively to the successful completion of the project: the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), the Cyprus Certification Company (CCC) and the KYKLOIKODROMIO.

A press release says that the project officially started June 1, with a total budget of 3,938,490 euros. The three-days event was hosted by the coordinator of the project , Cleantech Bulgaria Ltd, an innovation support network organization based in Sofia working actively on twin transition and skills development.

The consortium brings together 17 partners from 10 European countries, who will work together to achieve its main goal , thus creating a pan-European framework and scheme for certification and upgrading of knowledge and skills for the so-called "twin" transition (green and digital) with a focus on the construction sector.

An important role in the project is played by organizations providing vocational education and training.

Their main task will be to update and adapt the services offered to the emerging new needs in the field of green and digital skills. Within the framework of the project, a BuildEnrichedSkills methodology will be prepared to promote the offering of trainings related to the real needs of the labor market when applying the "lifelong learning" approach, incl. through reskilling and upskilling.

A procedure will also be developed to support vocational education and training centers to boost the rapid adaptation of the workforce to the twin green and digital transition.

Another leading objective is the creation of a certification framework for the recognition of skills and competences corresponding to the needs of the twin transition, which will serve as a reference at global level for the improvement and certification of VET services.

The results achieved by the project will be transferred to 12 pilot projects in 6 countries, involving 300 trainees and reaching 100 vocational training providers, 1 000 companies and 20 organizations at European level in the field of construction skills thus achieving at least 100 collaborations between VET and industry.

Source: Cyprus News Agency