They work in the shadows, providing the underlying support that allows their surrounding environment to function effectively. In recognition of their tireless efforts, pupils at the Emirates National School for Boys conducted a ceremony to honour their custodial and support staff members, including janitors, cafeteria workers and security guards. "It was a wonderful event. Pupils across all grades came togetherRead more

Just as water pollution is contamination of the water, noise can be considered contamination of the air waves. From a cognitive standpoint, there exists an optimal level of ambient noise. Too far above or below this level will cause focus and creativity to drop off. In this sense, noise is like pollution of the mind. A new study from theRead more

From goth to jock: our teenager parenting experts explain the connection between your teenager's search for identity and his or her evolving sense of personal style. The theorist Erik Erikson is well known for expanding on Freud’s work regarding human development. Mr. Erikson understood and acknowledged that before an adolescent could make the transition to adulthood, he or she hadRead more

Shortly after the Second World War, the Swedish government conducted a vast social experiment to decide whether to implement educational reform. An examination of data from people who took part in the study, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences1, has revealed that those lucky enough to have experienced the reformed system have been more likelyRead more

A woman teacher suffered slight burns while four girl students inhaled smoke as a result of a fire that gutted a government secondary school in Jeddah yesterday. Lt. Col. Saeed Sarhan, spokesman for the Civil Defense in Makkah province, said his department has launched a probe into the school fire. “We received a call from a teacher at the 50thRead more

The Government of Brazil Monday signed a contribution of US$ 7.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to support its education, health and social service programs in Gaza, said an UNRWA press release. The total one-year contribution will help the Agency sustain its humanitarian food assistance programme to 106,000 abject poor Palestine refugees,Read more

For years, Gac Filipaj mopped floors, cleaned toilets and took out trash at Columbia University. A refugee from war-torn Yugoslavia, he eked out a living working for the elite Ivy League school. But Sunday was payback time: The 52-year-old janitor donned a cap and gown to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in classics. As a Columbia employee, he didn’t haveRead more

The Australian school official who handed out chocolates shaped like breasts, penises, posteriors and copulating couples to children resigned Monday. The parents of students at Woodberry Public School in Woodberry, north of Sydney, said they were shocked when they spotted the provocatively shaped candies at a Mother's Day event at the school Friday, The (Sydney) Daily Telegraph reported. "I hadRead more

Yemen's government started a program aimed at eradicating extremism by teaching schoolchildren the values of tolerance and kindness, officials said. The Ministry of Endowment and Guidance campaign, which started in Sanaa, the capital, targets all provinces, the Yemen Post reported. "Some clerics have told the students that Islam prohibits the killing of innocents and attacking electricity, oil and other publicRead more

Members of a Scottish teaching union are to begin industrial action over changes to their pensions. The Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) said members would begin a "work to contract" on Monday morning. The union said its members would not be doing any work beyond their contracted 35-hour week. And it called on teachers to stop "gifting" employers 10 toRead more