One of the UK's largest assessment boards, Edexcel, has announced plans for GCSE English exams to be conducted digitally starting in 2025. Pupils will have the option to type their answers, aiming to ease editing and simplify marking. While praised for increased accessibility, concerns arise about potential loss of handwriting skills. Experts stress the importance of a "hybrid world" for literacy skills, including writing by hand, typing, and texting. Headteachers caution against widening the disadvantage gap, emphasizing the need for clear guidance and resources. The move aligns with a broader trend of exam boards transitioning towards digital assessments.

A proposed review of the UK’s Graduate Route visa allowing two years of post-study work could impact Indian students, who make up 42% of visa holders. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) indicated it will examine if the route benefits Britain by retaining high-skilled graduates. Options include restricting eligible universities, courses, and jobs. Indian groups raised concerns about wholesale questioning of the visa's importance in attracting students. MAC's report comes before a formal commission from the Home Office. If received in early 2024, recommendations could come by late 2024. Any policy changes would significantly influence Indian student flows choosing UK higher education.

The UK Migration Advisory Committee said foreign students on two-year graduate visas who fail to achieve high grades could be barred from staying in the country. Over 98,000 students obtained the visas in June 2023, a 74% yearly increase. Officials fear the route is enabling immigration through low-wage jobs or inactivity. Committee chair Brian Bell said "There's no requirement to get particular grades in your university course or anything like that. That's the question we want to review to think about whether that's sensible." Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick said in an article "The graduate route is ripe for comprehensive reform." Additionally, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman pushed to scrap or overhaul the graduate visa over concerns it was fuelling immigration.

Canada has doubled the minimum financial requirement for international students to acquire a study permit, from CAD 10,000 to CAD 20,635. This will significantly increase costs for Indians who comprise a large chunk of Canada's international students. Students will now need over Rs 12 lakh in their accounts, up from Rs 6 lakh earlier. This reflects Canada's rising living costs which the earlier requirement failed to capture. Many Indian students may find it difficult to sustain themselves on the higher amount due to high rents and limited job vacancies. The last-minute announcement leaves students scrambling and may compel some to explore alternatives destinations. 

The Australian government will halve the annual migration intake to 250,000 within two years in an attempt to fix the country's "broken" immigration system, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil announced Monday. A recent review found the current system inefficient and overloaded, with a record 510,000 migrants entering in the past year. Among the new measures are tougher minimum English-language requirements for international students, and more scrutiny of those applying for a second visa - they must prove that any further study would advance their academic aspirations or their careers.  The new plan will target improving pathways for high-demand roles like tech and care workers. O'Neil said the changes will get "numbers back under control" and attract the workers Australia needs most. 

Australia announced tighter visa rules Monday that could halve immigration over two years as it overhauls a "broken" system that saw record arrivals peak at 510,000 in 2022-23. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said targeted reforms are already easing pressure, with official forecasts showing a sharp drop to 250,000 in 2024-25 and 2025-26. While driven mainly by students, the influx strained resources. Seeking more sustainability, PM Anthony Albanese said levels require scaling back. Under the policy, international students will need higher English scores and lose extensions. But a new fast-tracked visa for highly-skilled workers will aid business recruitment in one of the world's tightest labor markets. The balancing act aims to better align immigration with national priorities.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has implemented major changes to the assessment system for Classes 10 and 12, ceasing to award overall divisions or distinctions. As per a new CBSE notice, focus will shift to individual subject performance instead of aggregate scores. The onus of choosing the best five subjects for grade calculation now falls upon the admitting institute or employer in cases where students opt for more than five subjects. The notice clearly states that the CBSE itself will not calculate or declare percentages, leaving any required percentage calculations for admissions or jobs to the concerned authorities. This move aligns with CBSE's decision last year to not publish merit lists or declare overall toppers. (Representative Image)

The University College London has announced a new scholarship scheme enabling 100 of India's "brightest students" to pursue Master's degrees there. Thirty-three exceptional graduates will be offered £5,000 funding in 2024/25, increasing to 100 over the following two years. UCL President and Provost, Dr Michael Spence said, “We are delighted to be able to offer these new and diverse opportunities that both illustrate our ongoing commitment to Indian students and strengthen our connection with India. Indian students are vital members of UCL’s global community and we are dedicated to providing more resources and support to help the very best of them share their knowledge and expertise with us in the UK." The India Excellence Scholarships aim to bring the country's "outstanding" academics to study across disciplines at the UK's top-ranked university.

IIT Madras inaugurated its first international campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania on Monday. The new campus, located in Bweleo district near Zanzibar Town, was opened by the President of Zanzibar Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi. It is part of the Indian government's efforts to expand the global footprint of the country's premier educational institutes like IITs. The Zanzibar campus will initially offer programs in Data Science and AI at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with 40% female students in the first batch. IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti and Tanzanian Minister of Education Adolf F Mkenda virtually attended the event. The campus has hostel, dining and medical facilities. IIT Madras aims to provide world-class technical education in Africa through this pioneering overseas expansion.

A proposal to change 'India' to 'Bharat' in CBSE textbooks ignites controversy in India, drawing criticism from opposition leaders. Professor CI Issacs, leading the committee behind the suggestion, defends it as a modernization effort aligned with the National Education Policy 2020. While proponents argue for educational evolution, critics fear political motives and call it an attempt to indoctrinate. The debate intensifies as historical and cultural identity becomes a focal point. The NCERT's decision is awaited, leaving the future of this proposed change uncertain amidst heated public discourse.