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The Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Massachusetts students and teachers protest teen's ‘inhumane' arrest by Ice
Students at Massachusetts's Milford high school staged a walkout Monday to show support for their classmate Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, who was headed to volleyball practice when he was detained over the weekend by US immigration and customs enforcement (Ice) agents who were actually looking for his father. Gomes Da Silva, a Brazilian national, entered the US in 2012 on a student visa, according to a court document since filed by his lawyer. The filing states that Gomes Da Silva's student visa status has since lapsed – but that he is eligible for and intends to apply for asylum. Currently a junior at Milford high school, Gomes Da Silva has 'no criminal history anywhere in the world', his lawyer maintained. He was reportedly being held at Ice's Boston field office, and his attorney filed a petition seeking his immediate release, arguing that his detention was unlawful. Da Silva's plight has inspired protests. On Monday, many students at Milford high school staged a walkout in solidarity with Gomes Da Silva, holding signs and wearing T-shirts that said 'Free Marcelo'. The Massachusetts Teachers Association issued a statement on Monday supporting the walkout and condemning Ice's actions as 'cruel' and 'inhumane'. 'Milford students are leading and their educators are following with admiration, moved by their commitment to do what is right and their solidarity with a classmate in need,' the statement said. 'Communities are rising,' the statement added. 'Just yesterday, 200 Milford teachers joined students in their march and rally, standing together in unity and taking their lead. We are inspired by the brave young people who walked out in protest.' A day earlier, Gomes Da Silva was a conspicuous absence at Milford high school's graduation ceremony. According to the Boston Globe, he had been scheduled to perform with the school band at the commencement. After the ceremony, the Boston Globe reported that hundreds of students and community members marched to Milford town hall to protest Gomes Da Silva's detention and call for his release. Also Sunday, a judge issued a order barring Ice from transferring him out of Massachusetts for at least 72 hours. A second order issued Monday stated that Gomes Da Silva 'shall not be moved outside the district of Massachusetts without providing the court 48 hours' advance notice of the move and the reason therefore' while the court considers the high schooler's lawsuit. The judge also gave the government 14 days to respond to the petition. During a news conference on Monday, the acting director of Ice, Todd Lyons, defended the agency's actions, telling reporters that Da Silva was 'in this country illegally and we're not going to walk away from anybody'. Lyons said that immigration agents made the traffic stop because they were looking for Gomes Da Silva's father, who Lyons said was in the US without legal status. Lyons said that Gomes Da Silva was driving his father's vehicle when he was pulled over and detained. 'He was not the target of the investigation,' added Patricia Hyde, the acting director of enforcement and removal operations at Ice's Boston field office. 'He's 18 years old – and he's unlawfully in this country. Unfortunately, we had to go to Milford to look for someone else, and we came across him – he was arrested.' Lyons added that when authorities encounter someone in the country who is here illegally, 'we will take action on that'. 'We're doing the job that Ice should have been doing all along,' Lyons said. 'We enforce all immigration laws.' Over the weekend, Maura Healey, the Massachusetts Democratic governor, condemned Gomes Da Silva's arrest, saying that she was 'disturbed and outraged'.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- New Straits Times
Imam dies in crash moments after rehearsing berzanji with son
SEGAMAT: Moments before their vehicle plunged into a ravine on Jalan Labis–Segamat yesterday, an imam was rehearsing berzanji recitations with his son ahead of a religious competition. The 6.47pm crash killed both Mohd Fitri Md Said, 39 and his nine-year-old daughter Nurin Insyirah, near Kampung Kwongsai, here. His wife, Nurain Farhana Johari, 32, and their other children - Muhammad Zikri, 11, Nur Atiya, 2, and Nur Husna, 4, sustained injuries but have since been discharged from hospital. The incident unfolded as the family were heading to Segamat from Felda Redong to buy a toy for the youngest child. Their vehicle skidded, overturned three times and landed in a swampy ravine. Mohd Fitri, the imam at Masjid Nurul Falah in Felda Redong was coaching Muhammad Zikri for an upcoming berzanji recitation competition. Berzanji is a poetic narration of Prophet Muhammad's life, recited in praise and prayer. Muhammad Zikri said he crawled out of the wreckage through a broken window and waved at passing vehicles to seek help. "I saw my father's right leg twitching and my sister Nurin Insyirah's hand and leg moving, but they were unconscious," said the Year 5 pupil, visibly shaken. A teacher who was driving pass the crash site, spotted the boy and placed an emergency call. Mohd Fitri's sister, Rozy, 47, recalled remarks he had made in the days leading up to the accident. "He kept saying he wanted to resign from all his roles — as an imam, Parents, Teachers Association president, and even as the person in charge of slaughtering livestock during Qurban," she said. "He even handed over his slaughter knife to Zikri with his name engraved on it." Rozy said the family now believes those words were a premonition. "He sounded like someone who knew his time was near," she said. Mohd Fitri and Nurin Insyirah will be laid to rest at the Felda Redong Muslim cemetery later today.
Sharjah 24
26-05-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
SSEF empowers orphans through academic support
Seventy students have now begun receiving academic tutoring, aimed specifically at those struggling with low academic achievement. The programme targets students under the Foundation's care, who have lost parental support, offering them guidance from a team of qualified teachers to help boost their self-confidence, raise their academic levels, and better prepare for final exams. Comprehensive educational support Nawal Al Hamadi, Director of the Welfare Department at SSEF, commented: 'Our interest in supporting the academic progress of our students stems from the 'Learning through the Pen' initiative, which aims to provide comprehensive assistance—removing educational obstacles and equipping students with the tools they need to succeed. The project currently supports nearly 1,900 students through a variety of educational services.' She noted that the Foundation believes academic empowerment is essential for building a promising future. 'This tutoring programme is one of several initiatives implemented in partnership with Sharjah's education council, the Teachers Association, and Al Kamal Private School. The feedback we've received confirms a significant improvement in both student morale and academic performance, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the teaching staff.' Al Hamadi concluded, 'We view education as the first step toward true empowerment. The 'Learning through the Pen' project is part of a broader strategy focused on academic development. Our efforts go beyond school years to support higher education, recognising its critical role in shaping students' futures and life trajectories. Investing in the education of orphaned youth is an investment in the future of society.' Strengthening educational partnerships Abdullah Al Marzouqi, Educational Advisor at the Sharjah Private Education Authority, praised the initiative, stating: 'The 'We Rise Together' programme—launched by the Teachers Association in partnership with SSEF and the Sharjah Volunteering Centre, and in collaboration with Al Kamal American Private School in Al Azra—is an excellent example of community partnership in education. The Sharjah Private Education Authority strongly supports initiatives that aim to improve student outcomes and sees this as a model of integration between educational and community institutions.' He added: 'We are proud of our collaboration with SSEF and the Teachers Association. It's essential to unify efforts to create an inclusive, motivating learning environment that enhances student capabilities and positively impacts academic performance.' An educational model of collaboration Salah Al Hosani, Chairman of the Teachers Association in the UAE, also emphasised the importance of partnership with community institutions. He noted that the 'We Rise Together' initiative was specifically launched to support SSEF students ahead of their final third-term exams. 'This collaboration is a practical and distinguished model of community partnership, aiming to boost student performance at a critical time of the school year,' Al Hosani said. 'The Teachers Association is committed to fostering a motivating educational environment, mobilising qualified educators, and designing specialised learning programmes that enhance student skills and close academic gaps.' Volunteer engagement in student support Volunteers also played a vital role in facilitating the programme. Ibrahim Al Naqbi, General Coordinator at the Sharjah Volunteering Centre, stated: 'Our continuous support for local initiatives reflects our commitment to community engagement. Volunteers had a major role in organising and supporting the 'We Rise Together' initiative—assisting students and teachers, monitoring attendance, and ensuring the learning environment was both safe and effective. The presence of a first-aid team among the volunteers helped ensure full preparedness and contributed to a secure and positive educational atmosphere.' Ongoing support through the academic year The remedial programme is delivered in the weeks leading up to final exams and includes regular performance assessments at the end of each term. Academic progress is closely monitored throughout the school year in coordination with parents and teachers to ensure sustained improvement. SSEF continues to offer a wide range of educational services under its 'Learning through the Pen' project. In addition to tutoring support, the initiative helps cover school tuition fees, supports university education, and provides students with digital learning tools and study materials. It also includes year-round academic follow-ups, skill-development courses, support for gifted students, and assistance for those with learning difficulties—underscoring the Foundation's vision to enable its students to thrive academically.
CBC
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Teachers' rep feeling ‘positive' about minister's potential pivot on funding
New Brunswick Teachers' Association president Peter Lagacy is encouraged the minister of education is talking about reversing a budget decision that led to cuts among educational support staff.
CBC
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Teachers' rep encouraged by minister's potential pivot on budget decision
The president of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association says he's feeling "positive" about the potential reversal of budget decisions that led to cuts of some educational support staff. Peter Lagacy said recent comments by Education Minister Claire Johnson suggest she's been listening to how recent budget decisions could negatively affect the school system. "She certainly seems to be willing to take all information and perhaps go back and readjust them and help look at things," Lagacy said at a news conference Friday. His comments come amid a swirl of controversy about how the Department of Education is funding the province's seven school districts, which are in charge of school operations like hiring teachers and support staff. While the department upped the districts' funding by $200 million this fiscal year, directives on how to spend large chunks of the money left the districts with less than they said they needed. That forced districts to cut dozens of support roles, including school library workers and staff who help children with behavioural problems. The department also wants to see districts redirect 150 teachers out of administrative roles and back into classrooms — a request that some districts have balked at. In response to the uproar by the districts, Johnson said Thursday her department was looking at potentially redirecting funds and stretching out some short-term targets over a longer timeline. "It's all on the table, and we're in discussions right now. We're working with the districts," she said at the time. Recruitment, retention top issue, Lagacy says Even if the department were to change tack on recent controversial funding decisions, the NBTA wants to see a strategy by the province specifically aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of teachers, Lagacy said. "I think we've asked for a strategy ... from central government for the past while and I think, you know, that strategy needs to be front and centre of anything moving forward," he said. Lagacy said the department budgeted $4 million this year specifically for recruitment and retention, however, he said it's unclear exactly what the plan is for that money. "They set in the budget $4 million, but money alone isn't enough. So we need the action behind that and the strategy." Lagacy said those issues could be improved through better "flexibility" in teachers' work days, by giving them time dedicated to meeting parents, and having professional development sessions. "And so, just being able to do your job well takes time and can certainly go a long way in retaining someone." Lagacy said he'd be in favour of the province piloting an altered school calendar next year that would see two days per month carved out for non-teaching activities. "I think if there are communities and schools and parents who are supportive of that plan, I don't see why we wouldn't want that going forward." CBC News was not granted an interview with Johnson, but was provided a statement by email. In it, she said her department is working with the NBTA on a retention and recruitment strategy for qualified teachers and other education professionals.
