Currently the Indian government is trying to provide 220 million young students with a tablet, as well as increasing the amount of IT learnt in schools. The goal now seems more achievable as subsidized Aakash tablets have been reduced to price of only $20. Datawind, a company providing India with the tablets, have sent 100,000 of these to India’s government. Also, Tablet-PCs would be given to 350,000 students, according to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan.

Adults are on both sides of the table for all students eventually using tables. At one end critics are concerned about the age at which students would receive a tablet saying that ,”the adoption of tablets has been unfolding in a largely haphazard manner — there hasn’t been much thinking, for instance, about the age at which children should be exposed to this technology or to what extent it should replace more traditional ways of learning.” One expert in technology, Prasanto K. Roy, even notes the lack of studies conducted in India that prove that multimedia devices makes a positive difference in education.

On the other hand, there are many that are excited about the idea of bringing in widespread use of tablets. Making the argument that students are given a more interactive interface with tablets, as well as being less bored and retain more information, tablets could help make education more fun.

Parents, understandably, may have mixed thoughts, partly based on practicality and cost.

Although the government is pushing an agenda, school administrators will have the final say because schools in India have the right to decide their own policy on technology.

Creative Commons Love: World Bank Photo Collection on Flickr.com

In Bolivia, a country which has one of the biggest maternal mortality rates at 190 deaths per 100,000 births, healthcare workers are making strides to bring cultural practices into the delivery room to give a more comfortable experience for expectant mothers. When hospital workers become better educated in cultural norms and practices, the MMR could lower with the possibility of giving babies a better chance at survival.

Previously, expectant mothers may have felt fearful to go to a hospital when in labor. However, with this intercultural approach of bridging Western techniques with familiar cultural practices, indigenous techniques are slowly becoming more accepted. As one hospital leader describes, “It’s a dramatic change in a country that for centuries excluded indigenous people and indigenous knowledge from ‘official’ spaces like schools and hospitals.”

These changes include giving space to cook food or prepare tea, wooden floors instead of the traditional tiles (which are often cold), and the use of traditional midwives.

In time statistics will show the accurate outcome of this innovative approach to hospital care. It is, however, long overdue, and may help young mothers feel more at ease in the future.

Creative Commons Love: James Peacock on Flickr.com

One city where gun violence is popular is in Chicago, where the number of homicides is startling. Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries stated on its website that “more youth have been killed in Chicago this year than in Afghanistan.”

Almost 700 children were shot in Chicago two years ago, which breaks down to about two per day. Out of these 700, 66 of them died. About half of these deaths are related to gang violence, and the pressure for young people to join a gang can be difficult to avoid. This may include threats towards the individual if he/she does not follow along.

Chicago’s primary police officer Supt. Garry McCarthy is working hard to reduce these numbers. In a recent panel, he spoke about the need to lower private gun sales by those who are licensed gun dealers. In addition, he’s promoted the idea of requiring a background check for those who want to buy guns.

Supt. McCarthy also notes the need for cultural changes. By reducing the amount of violence or guns in pop culture and on social media, this can shift the “glamorized” view of using guns.

Along with the rest of the country, Chicago continues to both mourn for its children and battle with gun violence. Until major changes happen though, our kids will continue to become victims in meaningless and tragic crimes.

Creative Commons Love: yooperann on Flickr.com

Just give children a box of crayons and off they go creating artwork from their imagination. Adults are often amazed at how they connect things together, and we all benefit from the creativity that children offer us. Check out a few simple tips that will help your little one’s creativity increase.

1. Offer “Limitless” Toys

Legos and blocks are great ways to help children build shapes or objects of any shape and size. Let the children choose what they make by offering a toy without the prescribed instructions that come with it. These toys will not only help the imagination grow but will also improve the motor skills of  young children.

2. Play with Words

Try different writing exercises that your children will enjoy. Have your little ones pretend to be a specific animal, and then, ask your children to write down what it’s like to be that animal. Have your children cut out words from magazines that describe themselves and the paste them onto paper. Ask your children to invent their own fairytale or make up a story together by going back and forth. The possibilities are endless!

3. Understand the Different Kinds of Creativity

Some children will love to sing, build, draw, write, or dance. Observe what your girl or boy enjoys doing and encourage that in both an individual setting and a group setting by offering him/her a class. Your child will benefit from being around new kids that are interested in the same things.

4. Encourage. Encourage. Encourage

Make your children feel secure when they are being creative around you, even in the smallest of moments. If your children are singing, offer a compliment. If it’s not a good time for your children to make a lot of noise, instead of telling your children to be silent, just try to distract them with something new. With time the children’s confidence will grow, and their security in their creativity will be greatly influential in their adult years. As we all know, today’s children are tomorrow’s writers, singers, engineers, and artists!

Creative Commons Love:  mattdoucette on Flickr.com

India, where right now 61% of HIV cases in India are men, recently reported an incredible 57% reduction rate in HIV rates, according to a new UNAIDS report. (This may come as a surprise since its neighboring countries, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, have reported rising HIV rates.)

One doctor from Moolchand Heart Hospital in New Delhi states that one large reason why these rates are going down is because of increased awareness among Indians. As accurate information spreads across different levels of society, people are more adequately able to protect themselves.

Another professional, the AIDS Control Society of India president, shares his opinion: “The media has a pivotal role to play in the fight against AIDS. It is often said that education is the vaccine against HIV.” Social media, television programs, and Internet access in rural areas also play a positive role in helping others gain useful information on HIV and AIDS.

In addition, anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is making headway for those who have access to the drugs. By 2011, 40-59% of eligible Indians received ART therapy drugs.

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Several American universities and colleges involved are Urbana University (in Ohio), St. Mary-of-the-Woods College (in Indiana), and Mount Holyoke College (in Massachusetts). Mount Holyoke College is currently keeping its total cost at a steady US $41,456 for a school year. The President of the college, Lynn Pasquerella, said “we recognize that the US model for higher education is not sustainable, so we can’t continue to raise tuition and have burgeoning loan burdens and have job prospects be uncertain for students.”

According to CNNMoney, college seniors now graduate with $27,000 (average) in debt. The amount of average debt changes from state to state. In addition, the total obviously depends on where students go to school, scholarships, whether or not they live at home, and if they work. Students with hopeful futures may feel overwhelmed with the prospect of borrowing money to get a degree and then finding a job. But, with these innovative plans to freeze tuition totals, hopefully students’ prospects will be a bit brighter in the years ahead.

Creative Commons Love: Nastassia Davis on Flickr

Schools are trying to make changes to the menu to fight obesity, but not everyone is on board as to how to go about it. In Oregon, some students claim that they are still hungry after eating the new lunches, which include smaller portions, more fruits and vegetables, and greater amounts of whole grains.

Meals in one Oregon school district are now restricted by a total number of calories, leaving many parents and students frustrated. The new requirement of a maximum of 850 calories is a dramatic change from the 846 calorie minimum that was in place only last year. Many parents are worried due to the fact that athletic students will need more calories than less athletic ones.

Currently, Food Service Direct for the Oregon School District is sticking by the law and will not budge after hearing the complaints. In addition, a representative of the organization makes a note that students are welcomed to seconds of fruit, milk, or vegetables, and a la carte food.

It’s up to them whether they take seconds or not.

The debate over how much food should be given to students will continue on between concerned parents, school administrators, and students. In the meantime, obesity remains an ongoing health concern for many young people around the country.

Creative Commons Love: Bunches and Bits {Karina} at Flickr.com

Children who are born without the guarantee of an education will spend a lifetime without possibilities, something that Malala was fighting against. According to Britain’s former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, “15 million children under 14, who should be at school, are working full time around the world. Every year, ten million girls leave education to become child brides and never return to school. Millions more are trafficked.”

The fact that so many millions of children are not in school shows just how far the 2015 UN Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education is from becoming a reality in just three years. In fact, according to former Prime Minister Brown, “By current global trends, education for all will be a distant dream until at least 2064.”

Greater financial aid given to developing countries can help make a positive difference. Individuals can help by giving money or even textbooks and other school supplies. In addition, working alongside politicians to promote more effective policies could be equally important. Find out more information here.

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This year marks the UN’s first-ever International Day of the Girl Child, which will be commemorated on the eleventh of October. The day was created by the United Nations General Assembly to help promote opportunities and equal access for girls everywhere. In addition, the UN created it to increase public awareness in different areas such as health care, education, and freedom from domestic violence.

Helping young girls around the world will create better communities and brighter possibilities for future generations. Not surprisingly, education level and success in motherhood are very closely tied. Women who are highly educated will be able to make better-informed decisions for their child and will more likely have only a few children. One writer describes, ”when a girl in the developing world receives seven or more years of education, she marries four years later and has 2.2 fewer children.”

With education comes specialized jobs and higher income. Research shows that women typically use 90% of their income to invest in their families, which is strikingly different from the 30% to 40% of income that men decide to invest for their families. Of course, these numbers are not uniform across the board and there will be variations. However, they may suggest something that will be helpful to development practitioners around the world.

Giving girls a fair chance will help entire communities, and it’s time to make it happen.

Creative Commons Love: Joel Dousset on Flickr.com

The top ten countries were:

1. Canada

Percentage of population with tertiary education: 51%

2. Israel

Percentage of population with tertiary education: 46%

3. Japan

Percentage of population with tertiary education: 45%

4. United States

Percentage of population with tertiary education: 42%

5. New Zealand

Percentage of population with tertiary education: 41%

6. South Korea

Percentage of population with tertiary education: 40%

7. United Kingdom

Percentage of population with tertiary education: 38%

8. Finland

Percentage of population with tertiary education: 38%

9. Australia

Percentage of population with tertiary education: 38%

10. Ireland

Percentage of population with tertiary education: 37%

Other factors, including GDP per capita, were also factored into this ranking, which explains why the United Kingdom, Finland, and Australia are still ranked separately, even though they all have 38% of their population with a tertiary education.

Higher levels of education have helped people remain employed throughout the recession. For those who have at least a college degree, unemployment rates have only jumped from 3.3% to 4.7% for those in developed nations. However, those with less than a high school diploma saw the unemployment rate rise from 8.8% to 12.5%.

Not surprisingly, the countries that spend the most on education end up with populations that are the most educated. “As in previous years, the best-educated countries tend to spend the most on tertiary education as a percentage of gross domestic product. The United States and Canada, among the most educated countries, spend the most and third most, respectively.”

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