Latest news with #Educationand
The Star
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Hajiji: Adopt TVET for economic opportunities
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's youth should broaden their perspectives and view Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a primary option for shaping a brighter future, rather than merely as an alternative route, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor ( pic ). The Chief Minister said TVET now plays a major role in driving the state's economic and social development, in line with technological transformation and current industry demands. 'TVET not only equips individuals with practical skills, but it also represents empowerment, job opportunities and economic growth,' he said at the launch of the Sabah TVET Council here yesterday. His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister III, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who is also the State Works Minister. Hajiji said that the TVET courses currently offered have been aligned with the needs of the job market and the fast-growing industrial sector, making it a stable and viable career path for young people. 'I urge the youth in the state not to hesitate in joining the TVET sector. This is the time to shift perceptions and view TVET as a smart option that opens doors to becoming professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators,' he said. He said that the establishment of the Sabah TVET Council demonstrates the state government's dedication to enhancing the technical training ecosystem. This initiative aims to coordinate more than 160 TVET institutions across the state, ensuring that graduates are adequately prepared for the workforce.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Waste not, sort not: Chennai Corporation's bumpy road to clean streets and struggles of source segregation
PR: AXL Is a 100 % segregation possible in Chennai? This question has been agitating residents and administrators alike, as several attempts to bring the city to segregate the waste at source continue to remain non starters, even as efforts in smaller pockets succeeded. One of the main reasons for the failure to segregate is that the Corporation does not impose strict fines on those not segregating garbage, reasoned Mohammed Harris, one of the participants in Chennai Corporation's recent tour of the windrow composting plant (wet waste recycling centre) in Manali's Chinna Sekkadu. As he reached to grab a handful of the waste drying in the plant, Mr. Harris, a climate activist, said, 'We find plastic and rubber items, such as milk packets and diapers, in these piles. For windrow composting to work effectively, these non-degradable items need to be removed.' The issue has gained prominence again, after the Supreme Court on February 24, 2025, said segregation of garbage starts at home and it is a practice which is of vital importance for the well-being of the environment. The GCC has been pushing to improve this, yet over 6,000 tonnes of mixed wastes reach the dump yards in Perungudi and Kodungaiyur every day. A total ₹352 crore was allocated for solid waste management in FY2025-26 by the civic body. 'Source segregation of waste will improve operations at the windrow plant by ensuring that only organic waste is processed, enhancing compost quality,' an official at the plant said. Janani Venkitesh, Founder-Secretary of Residents of Kasturba Nagar Association, who was on the tour too, said: 'After working for seven years in Kasturba Nagar, we achieved 60% segregation. But since there are no penalties for individuals who do not segregate waste, and continue to hand over mixed waste, it will be difficult to reach 100 % segregation of organic and non-organic wastes,' she said, adding: 'Currently, only bulk waste generators face fines, not individual households.' Ms. Venkitesh suggested that the Corporation select one ward as a pilot project for achieving complete segregation. She also recommended strengthening door-to-door outreach, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, engaging sanitary workers, imposing penalties, and conducting regular inspections at processing plants. 'With the closure of 168 out of 190 micro composting centres and 88 out of 137 material recovery facilities in residential areas, managing biodegradable and plastic waste remains a significant challenge,' she said. She also stressed the need for regular official inspections to ensure machines at processing plants are functional and well-maintained. Keerthi, from North Chennai, another participant admitted that she had not practiced waste segregation so far but intends to take it up in the coming days. During the plant visit, another participant, Ramani, suggested introducing incentives such as credit points for residents who diligently segregate their waste. A senior GCC official said that invoking strict penalties at this time may not be advisable due to the Assembly elections in 2026. 'But we are considering a credit point system based on successful models in other countries. If found feasible, we will implement it,' he said, adding that biomining and waste-to-energy methods have shown success.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maryland sues to halt mass firings of probationary federal workers
Maryland filed suit Thursday against a host of U.S. government agencies accusing the Trump administration of illegally laying off federal probationary workers. The state joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia seeking to halt the dismissal of tens of thousands of federal employees as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to eliminate various pillars of the federal government and significantly reduce its workforce. 'President Trump's unlawful mass firings of federal workers are a blatant attack on the civil service, throwing thousands of hardworking families into financial turmoil,' Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a news release announcing the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court. 'Instead of following the law and notifying states, his administration blindsided Maryland, forcing us to deal with the devastating economic fallout and social consequences.' Probationary federal employees are either new hires or those who have been promoted to a new position or a new agency, Brown said in a news release. He called the firings unlawful and said they would create a burden on states, which could see increased unemployment claims, greater demands for social services and reduced tax revenue. The lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of failing to follow federal regulations for mass firings or reductions in force (RIFs). Although the probationary workers were sent termination letters that said they were fired for unsatisfactory performance or conduct, the state attorneys general claim the dismissals were part of a restructuring or downsizing effort. The rules for such layoffs require at least 60 days notice to state governments. Brown said the federal agencies named in the lawsuit, including the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education and Health and Human Services, did not provide any advance notice of the firings to Maryland, 'causing significant injury and burden on the state as it scrambles to respond to the sudden mass layoffs of its residents.' He said the Trump administration has fired roughly 23,000 probationary employees over the past three weeks. Some 800 terminiated federal employees in Maryland have already filed for unemployment benefits, he said. 'These indiscriminate firings don't just jeopardize people's livelihoods, they're also a serious threat to our state,' Brown said in a video accompanying the news release. Earlier Thursday, Maryland officials said they expected the state to lose about 29,000 jobs under Trump's effort to reshape the federal government, opening a $280 million hole in the state's already dwindling budget. The lawsuit asks the court to rule that the Trump administration's terminations of probationary federal employees is illegal and to reinstate those workers. 'These federal employees are not elected officials. They are dedicated civil servants whom the president has turned into political pawns as he seeks to dismantle and extinguish the federal government,' Brown said in a video accompanying the news release. Members of the lawsuit coalition include the attorneys general of Minnesota, the District of Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Have a news tip? Send it to nzimmerman@
