Morocco: teachers strike after violent protests

Teacher unionists in Morocco have staged a two-day nationwide strike after recent demonstrations for better benefits ended in violence.

One of EI’s national affiliates, the Syndicat national de l'enseignement (SNE-FDT), together with the Fédération nationale des fonctionnaires de l'enseignement (UNTM) and the Fédération nationale de l'enseignement (UMT), called on members to protest in the capital Rabat, from 29-29 March, the outcome of an earlier demonstration, in which they claim 165 people were hurt, 65 seriously, including people with broken limbs or gashes from beatings by police. Unions said 50 were taken to hospital. Interior Ministry and police officials declined to comment on the violence.

In a joint statement, unions say that “to show their solidarity with the teachers and condemn the barbarous way the peaceful demonstration of teachers was suppressed, they will stage a 48-hour strike.” They also demand that an investigation be opened into the police’s violent repression against teachers, who were voicing their concern about the national education system’s reform and demanding increased status and salaries depending on diplomas for teachers.

According to SNE-FDT, the strike participation’s rate on 29 March was 95%. Thousands of teachers were expected to take part in a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Education on 30 March.

EI urges Moroccan authorities to respect teachers’ trade union rights and ensure that investigations will be undertaken into the recent clash between police forces and teachers.

source:http://www.ei-ie.org/news/news_details/1760

Top in Sri Lanka winner collects award in Cambridge

We recently had an opportunity to meet a former Cambridge student from Stafford International School, Sri Lanka who is now studying at the University of Cambridge.

In November last year, Ayushka Nugaliyadda won an Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award for her exceptional performance in her Cambridge International A Level Psychology exam. She was unable to attend the ceremony in Sri Lanka, and so we presented the award to her in Cambridge instead!

Our photograph shows Ayushka receiving her Top in Sri Lanka award from former member of the University of Cambridge International Examinations Syndicate, Dr John Guy OBE (left) and Warden of Robinson College, David Yeates (right).

Ayushka, who is studying Economics at Robinson College, says she chose to study Cambridge International A Level Psychology in order to broaden her outlook. She also took exams in Accounting, Economics, and Maths with Statistics – achieving A and A* grades in all subjects – and so wanted to study a subject that did not have a business focus. She said the University found her subject combination unusual, but she had no problem applying and they recognised her qualifications.

So how did she find her Cambridge International A Level studies? ‘I liked the syllabus’, she said, ‘it was diverse at International AS Level and became even broader in the second year.’

Ayushka only applied to UK universities, however she would like to return to Sri Lanka to pursue a career in developmental economics. On the day we met, she had had her first lecture in developmental economics and found that her psychology studies were relevant to the topic. She said: ‘The lecturer explained that psychological factors – such as happiness – are a consideration in developmental economics. It is surprising to find how my psychology studies will help me with my economics degree.’

Ayushka said it felt good to win her Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award. We wish her all the best for her future studies and career.

source:http://www.cie.org.uk/news/features/detail?feature_id=37411