World's Biggest Lesson Teaches Importance of Girls' Education

SCHOOLCHILDREN were yesterday taking part in what was being billed as the ``world's biggest ever lesson''.

The event, part of the Global Week of Action for Education organised by leading charities including Oxfam and Save the Children, saw more than 500,000 pupils taking part in over 100 countries.

The theme is the importance of ensuring girls go to school, as the children of women who finish primary education are twice as likely to survive beyond the age of five, and are half as likely to suffer from malnutrition.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan were among those urging support for the campaign.

In England, school standards minister David Miliband was teaching the lesson to nine and 10-year-olds at St Paul's Primary School in London. The same lesson was being given across the world.

The main UK lesson, involving 2,500 children, was being held at Wembley Grand Hall near the old national stadium.

Singer Ms Dynamite, a prominent campaigner against the war in Iraq, filmed a message of support.

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'Educational Institutions Should Provide Relevant Information Online'

Chandigarh, May 24 -- A digital marketing seminar 'HT Campus Digi Wise' focused on helping educational institutes of tricity fine tune their strategy was organised at Hotel Shivalik View, Sector-17, on Friday evening.

The seminar, organised by htcampus.com and Google India, saw a large number of representatives of private as well as government institutes participate.

While introducing the seminar, htcampus.com business head Ruchir Arora said that the organisation has so far held 8-10 seminars in different parts of the country to educate various educational institutes to evolve a marketing strategy for themselves.

Addressing the seminar, Arora said that the idea behind the move was to educate people about the emergence and strengths of the digital media, and how parents and students could use it as a tool to select institutes for higher education.

"According to a study conducted last year 60% of parents and students searched web before selecting institutes for higher studies," said Arora, underlining that educational institutes should provide details of infrastructure, reputation and fees, among other things online as these are most searched for.

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Equalizing Educational Opportunity

THE discontent that a World Bank country report warned about, plaguing young Filipino graduates who cannot find jobs commensurate with their educational qualifications is already happening and may be getting worse.

This problem has been taking place for quite some time now and is, in fact, the underlying cause of the steady stream of Filipino professionals going abroad for better employment prospects.

Even those who choose to stay are not spared from the angst of accepting jobs that are not in any way related to their educational preparations, and with much lesser compensation.

The World Bank report said this was one of the most serious problems in the Philippines in the 1980s and early 1990s and certainly up to this time, if I may say so, considering our circumstances.

"If properly utilized, these trained personnel could facilitate economic development, but when left idle or forced to take jobs beneath their qualifications, this group could be a major source of discontent," the report said.

Senator Edgardo Angara had made reference to the World Bank report as he bewailed the failure of many young graduates to find suitable jobs for their educational qualifications.

Angara, a former president of the University of the Philippines, quoted the WB country report describing the situation as "quite disturbing."

Recently, the Senator also voiced concern over the escalating tuition fees being collected by private educational institutions, saying they should share the responsibility of the government in providing access to quality education to the citizens.

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Educational Institutions Must Come Clean on Fees

New Delhi, June 22 -- A letter from a parent that I received recently raises some very pertinent questions about the rights of students and parents as consumers of educational services. It also focuses on certain highly exploitative and unfair practices by educational institutions in recent years.

According to the parent, Mr Pranav Kumar, he had to sign an agreement that had a clause saying that he would pay the full course fee, even if his son left the college mid-way. The clause was never pointed out to him, but even if it had, he admits that he would still have signed it, for his son's education.

After a year, his son did not wish to continue there, but the college has his original certificates which they say, would be returned only after receiving the promised fee. In other words, the college is forcing a student who does not wish to continue, to either stay against his will or pay the fee for four years for his 'release'. This is highly unethical and unfair.

T h e U n ive r s i t y G r a n t s Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) have issued guidelines directing educational institutions to refund the fee paid by students who wish to withdraw before the start of the course. If a student wishes to leave after the start of the course, and if the seat vacated by the student is taken up by another, then the educational institution should return the fee with proportionate deductions of monthly fee. They have also said that colleges cannot retain the original certificates to force retention of admitted students.

But what about situations such as described above, where the student wishes to leave after a year?

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Educational Institutions and Corruption

PERHAPS more than meets the eye, the level and degree of corruption rampant in the Philippines is an indictment of educational institutions in the country, other factors notwithstanding. It is a well-known fact that most alleged big time corrupt individuals are graduates of so-called prestigious educational institutions.

It is no longer enough for educational institutions to dissociate themselves from their alumni allegedly involved in graft and corruption or to consider them exceptions to what they consider as a sterling roster of alumni through the years. Individually and collectively as educational institutions, they must take stock of where have they gone wrong deficient or unknowing and may have left a gap in the training and education of alumni who feature in gross corruption cases.

No allegedly corrupt person has yet been speedily tried and fully convicted even in the face of glaring evidence which somehow in one way or another has been clouded by doubts and counter doubts to a point of almost extinction; not so rarely even made extinct by allegations of another or even more grotesque cases of corruption, one overshadowing the other in the scheme of events. Some linger through the years with perpetrators free to claims of denial while courts take time to persecute for one or more things lacking in evidence and counter evidence.

That is why corruption is getting deeply embedded in Philippine culture. People are getting frustratingly resigned to it as part of the system. Big names with alleged corruption cases walk the high and low society of the country either with claims of innocence or as "gods" of the poor and oppressed. Even the deprived sectors of society who believe they are crooks and guilty of corruption cheer and accept their so-called humanitarian projects with glee. And perhaps, rightfully so since the courts have not passed judgments and in the meantime those who have so far managed to stay clear of irregularities get bolder and bolder day by day to be like them as their political will to be incorruptible dissipate into nothingness.

Even the most sincere intentions of government and some governmental organizations to stem the tide of corruption in the Philippines cower beneath the power of this social malaise to survive and even grow with seeming dignity. The louder the media "barks," seemingly, the louder they claim innocence from wrongdoing. It appears like nothing is anymore new and even repulsive if agencies are ranked as the most corrupt ones in the social system. In the light of these realities, the latest strategy of "shame" to combat corruption could be a nonstarter.

Perhaps it is unfair to confront educational institutions with this state of corruption in the country and yet there is no other social institution which may have the courage to take a good hard look at the facts behind this dismal state of corruption of all kinds, moral, economics, social and in general cultural degeneration of the national fabric.

Even the family as a basic social institution appears impervious to it as each pursue a goal of advancement as fast and as high as can be with seemingly very little regard as to how and what makes possible such "progress" in life ahead of others. It becomes very easy for wives to become partners of convenience in the scheme of corruption and for children to be unknowingly being given the best from so-called illgotten wealth, until the scandals blow up when all family members have no choice most of the time but to stand with each other.

Hence, the educational institutions could be the last resort where a critical mass of manpower to reverse the fortune of corruption may be developed. It may be a long process but educational institutions can fight corruption within the classrooms. So far, most of the manpower educational institutions produce eventually get sucked into the system of corruption.

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Educational Toys Could Be a Waste of Money

PARENTS are wasting millions of pounds a year on so- called educational toys, it was claimed yesterday.

Experts believe young children can learn as much from everyday objects such as shoeboxes, saucepans and car keys as they can from specialist playthings.

The market in educational toys is booming, with an increasing number of affluent parents willing to spend money on products they believe could help their preschool child's educational development.

However, in a book to be published next month, one expert questions whether there is such a thing as an 'educational toy'.

Krister Svensson, director of the International Toy Research Centre in Stockholm, said: 'Toys don't teach cognitive or motor skills - they just encourage children to practise them.

'You can make a complex toy that forces children to manipulate them in a certain way, but children can learn just as much from repeatedly taking the lid off a shoebox and putting it back on again.' The UK toy market is worth more than [pounds sterling]2.1billion a year. Around [pounds sterling] 360million of that goes on items for babies and pre-school children.

Such is the boom that there are now numerous companies and websites specialising in educational toys which are said to help language, dexterity, shape and colour recognition and other skills.

Products aimed at babies and toddlers include CD software, 'talking' books and electronic gadgets, as well as more traditional wooden or plastic toys.

'The toy industry gives parents the impression that their children will have a head start if they play with their product but there is no scientific proof to these claims,' said Mr Svensson.

'It is the setting of play that is educational, not the toy itself.

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Educational TV Receives Poor Grades

Although nearly 70 percent of all children's educational programming is aimed at children in elementary school, these shows are more likely to contain violence and harsh language than shows aimed at toddlers or teens, researchers said yesterday.

In addition, although children's educational programming is supposed to contain "clear and salient lessons," 46 percent of children's shows lack any such educational content, said Amy Jordan, a researcher with the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

For these and other reasons, many parents continue to hold low opinions of children's TV programming, Miss Jordan and other researchers said in their study released yesterday: "The 1998 State of Children's Television Report: Programming for Children Over Broadcast and Cable Television."

A strong exception is PBS, which was ranked the best for children's programming by researchers. Almost all PBS children's shows were deemed highly educational with little or no violence, sexual innuendo or harsh language, they said.

The best shows for educational content are science programs like "Bill Nye the Science Guy," "Beakman's World," "Algo's Factory," and "Science Court," researchers noted.

However, of these shows, only "Bill Nye" rated a thumbs up from the children, aged 10 to 17, who were surveyed on their preferences.

The Annenberg center report, the third in a series, examined a week's worth of programs targeted at children ages 2-16 in Philadelphia. Researchers looked at 1,190 programs on broadcast and cable-TV channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox.

It also collected opinion from 1,200 parents and 300 children.

The study found that only 16.5 percent of parents expressed a positive opinion about children's educational shows, and only 1 in 10 parents agreed that there were "a lot" of good programs on for kids.

Still, TV viewing remains the "single biggest use of time by children in the home," the study said. Children average one hour of homework but 2.55 hours of TV viewing per day.

The researchers also looked for the effects of the new Federal Communications Commission rule that commercial broadcasters who want speedy license renewals must air at least three hours a week of "educational and informational" programming for children between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. They are further required to identify such "E/I" programming for TV listings.

In reviewing the E/I choices in Philadelphia, the researchers found that:

* The E/I ratings were not well known or reliable. Twenty-five percent of E/I shows were of "minimal educational value."

* Families with cable access can choose from 25 stations and 247 children's shows. Children without cable access lose half these choices.

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CMS Advertising to Merge with American Educational

Inc. and American Educational Computer Inc., both of Oklahoma City, has been approved in principle by the boards of directors of both firms, it was announced Wednesday.

CMS, parent company of a direct mail advertising firm, would be the surviving corporation, with American Educational Computer to merge into CMS or with a subsidiary of CMS, said John Simonelli, chairman of CMS.

CMS and American Educational Computer, both publicly-held companies, would continue to be based in Oklahoma City, said Simonelli, with CMS continuing as a holding company and American Educational Computer as a subsidiary. CMS also owns United Coupon Corp. of Springfield, Va.

The proposal includes no cash, he said.

Under the preliminary terms, all American Educational Computer outstanding common stock at the closing of the merger would be converted into 750,000 shares of CMS common stock. CMS stock closed Wednesday at 2 5/8, down 1/2, while American Educational Computer stock closed at 1/4, down 1/8. Both are traded over-the-counter.

In addition, American Educational Computer stockholders would receive 600,000 shares of convertible non-voting non-trading preferred CMS stock, which could be converted into CMS common stock at $2.40 per share.

If all of those preferred shares were converted, CMS would receive $1.44 million in new capital, said Simonelli.

CMS now has 4,603,167 shares of common stock and 613,814 warrants (each to purchase one share of common stock) outstanding. The warrants closed Wednesday at 1 1/8, down 3/8.

American Educational Computer, which was formed in 1981 and went public in 1983, has 6,355,410 shares of common stock outstanding.

The proposed merger is subject to execution of a definitive agreement and approval by the boards of both firms plus shareholders of American Educational Computer. It also is subject to a satisfactory ruling or opinion that the exchange of stock will be tax-free, said CMS, and to satisfaction of other customary conditions.

CMS, which was formed in 1984 and went public in 1986, franchises cooperative direct mail advertising operations through United Coupon Corp., which was acquired in 1987. American Educational Computer publishes and markets educational and entertainment computer software and video to retail and school markets in all 50 states.

The proposed merger has the potential of increasing CMS total revenues to about $6 millon a year, as the two firms stand now, said Simonelli.

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American Educational to Buy Concord Video

By Tim Ray Oklahoma City-based American Educational Computer Inc. has signed a letter of intent to acquire Concord Video Inc. of Los Angeles for an as-yet undisclosed amount of cash and stock, according to Doug Frans, chief executive officer of American Educational Computer Inc.

Completion of the acquisition is expected this month and is subject to the execution of a definitive agreement, Frans said.

When the acquisition is completed, Concord Video will become a divisional operation of American Educational Computer, which will market Concord's products under the Concord name.

According to Frans, American Educational Computer has been specializing in the publishing and marketing of educational software products for use in home and schools but has been wanting to get into marketing video products.

Concord Video's line of products includes both educational and entertainment video products. Frans said the privately-held firm had annual sales of about $1 million last year.

"They're about a 3-year-old company, and according to their reports, they're the first publisher of educational video in the U.S.," said Frans.

He said the firm has been establishing a catalog of educational and entertainment videos but has needed additional capital and contacts for marketing its products.

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Our Stone Age Game Exposed at Emirates

ITV'S Andy Townsend may have taken the words out of the mouths of millions of viewers with comments he made about Barcelona during Wednesday's Champions League tie against Arsenal at the Emirates. The Catalan side were leading 1-0 at the time, and looking like they could score again, when Townsend remarked: 'It's educational, this stuff they play; so beautiful to watch.' Barcelona, in short, were breathtaking.

 But then so were Arsenal as they came back at them in spectacular style to win 2-1 and protect their chance of progressing to the next round. There can't have been many, if any, more compelling spectacles than this in the history of the tournament... well, since Real Madrid won the old European Cup in 1960 by beating Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 at Hampden.

 Small wonder Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas admitted in Sportsmail yesterday: 'For me, this is the best game I've ever experienced on the pitch in terms of quality and intensity.

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Keep Calm and Dump Your Bags: Lessons to Learn from Emirates Plane Crash Landing

New Delhi, Aug. 4 -- Some 300 passengers and crew miraculously escaped after an Emirates flight crash landed in Dubai on Wednesday and a part of it exploded into a ball of fire shortly after everybody had been evacuated.

The crew were hailed for their efforts that made sure there were no injuries, but it could have gone all wrong.

An amateur video -- shot by a passenger -- of the moments before the evacuation throws up many lessons for air passengers on how not to go about it during a crisis on-board. HT goes through the video and points out some of them:

Evacuation video of #Emirates #EK521 from crash landing #Dubai #Airport this afternoon. Brave #CabinCrew pic.twitter.com/kEZuFh2aa6

KEEP CALM

What they did: Passengers were seen moving about in the cabin, some in near-panic. There was shouting and shoving. All these made the evacuation difficult and delayed everyone's way to safety.

What you should do: While the first instinct of many would be to panic under these circumstances, such behaviour only makes the job of the crew difficult. Calm and order help. Stay in your seat and await instructions.

HEED INSTRUCTIONS

What they did: Passengers were heard shouting out to each other while the captain and crew gave instructions over the in-flight address system which many may not have been able to hear.

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