Latest news with #studentwellbeing
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Yahoo
Teacher in B.C. Interior suspended after telling girls he 'was not a pedophile': regulator
The B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation has suspended a teacher in the province's Interior after he reportedly told Grade 11 girls in fitness class that he was "not a pedophile" and touched some of them, making them uncomfortable. Todd Erin Graham consented to a one-day suspension of his teaching certificate and to attend a respectful boundaries course, as part of discipline relating to events in the 2022-23 school year. As part of a consent agreement posted online on Tuesday, the regulator found that Graham was teaching a fitness and conditioning class to Grade 11 students between September and December 2022 when he separated the girls from the boys. "In that meeting, Graham told the girls that he was 'not a pedophile' but that he might have to 'grab them' to show them proper form or to spot them," the consent agreement reads. "Graham then told them that he had no attraction to them as he was 52 and they were 15." The female students reportedly felt uncomfortable after the meeting, with Graham also saying that he would periodically touch students to help them with their form or work muscle groups. Those included occasions when he touched the side of a female student's chest while she was performing a bench press and asked, "Can you feel that?" Graham was also found to have pushed a student's hips while she used a squat rack, and complimented another student's legs while she used a leg press machine. Demeaning comments The regulator also found that he made demeaning comments to both an Indigenous student and a student with diverse needs, while singling them out in front of their classmates in the 2022-23 school year. Following those events, the school district gave him a letter of discipline and ordered him to attend two online courses regarding Indigenous cultural safety and reconciliation. The commissioner's consent agreement says that Graham agreed his actions constituted professional misconduct and agreed to his one-day suspension. "Graham failed to create a positive learning environment or to model appropriate behaviour," the agreement reads. "Graham failed to respect appropriate boundaries, making students feel uncomfortable."
CBC
10-07-2025
- CBC
Teacher in B.C. Interior suspended after telling girls he 'was not a pedophile': regulator
The B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation has suspended a teacher in the province's Interior after he reportedly told Grade 11 girls that in fitness class he was "not a pedophile" and touched some of them, making them uncomfortable. Todd Erin Graham consented to a one-day suspension of his teaching certificate and to attend a respectful boundaries course, as part of discipline relating to events in the 2022-23 school year. As part of a consent agreement posted online on Tuesday, the regulator found that Graham was teaching a fitness and conditioning class to Grade 11 students between September and December 2022 when he separated the girls from the boys. "In that meeting, Graham told the girls that he was 'not a pedophile' but that he might have to 'grab them' to show them proper form or to spot them," the consent agreement reads. "Graham then told them that he had no attraction to them as he was 52 and they were 15." The female students reportedly felt uncomfortable after the meeting, with Graham also saying that he would periodically touch students to help them with their form or work muscle groups. Those included occasions when he touched the side of a female student's chest while she was performing a bench press and asked, "Can you feel that?" Graham was also found to have pushed a student's hips while she used a squat rack, and complimented another student's legs while she used a leg press machine. Demeaning comments The regulator also found that he made demeaning comments to both an Indigenous student and a student with diverse needs, while singling them out in front of their classmates in the 2022-23 school year. Following those events, the school district gave him a letter of discipline and ordered him to attend two online courses regarding Indigenous cultural safety and reconciliation. The commissioner's consent agreement says that Graham agreed his actions constituted professional misconduct and agreed to his one-day suspension. "Graham failed to create a positive learning environment or to model appropriate behaviour," the agreement reads.
Arabian Business
09-07-2025
- Arabian Business
Qatar announces new school calendar until 2028 with extra Ramadan days, long weekends and more holidays
Qatar has announced a new academic calendar with new long weekends, additional Ramadan holidays and well-being measures for students. Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) has approved a revised academic calendar covering three school years from 2025 to 2028, introducing a series of changes designed to better align with national, cultural, and religious priorities. The new calendar is applicable to both public and private schools and was developed following a comprehensive review, including recommendations from the Shura Council, and aims to unify the academic rhythm across the country while enhancing student well-being and family planning. Qatar holidays and breaks The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) approved the new academic calendar for schools in Qatar for the academic years 2025–2026, 2026–2027, and 2027–2028. The calendar takes into account various educational, cultural, and national considerations, in line with the Ministry's vision to develop a flexible and inclusive educational system. The Ministry explained that the calendar was adopted following a comprehensive review of influencing factors, including recommendations from the Shura Council regarding alignment between public and private school holidays. As a result, the mid-year break has been fixed in the last third of December to unify the academic rhythm across the country and provide families with better planning and organisation opportunities. The calendar also includes a revision of the first semester final exams, which will now be held before Qatar National Day. This change responds to proposals from the Ministry of Culture and aims to enable students to actively participate in national events that promote identity and belonging. To support students' religious and psychological well-being, the Ministry ensured that mid-second-semester exams will not coincide with the holy month of Ramadan. This allows students to focus on worship and engage in related social and cultural activities during the sacred month. In recognition of the religious and social significance of Ramadan, the new academic calendar includes two additional days off for students and school staff during the holy month in the academic years 2025–2026 and 2027–2028, in addition to the official holiday. The calendar also introduces a 'Test Day, Rest Day' system, applied exclusively to second-semester exams for high school certificate students. This system provides students with ample time to review and regain focus between exams, supporting their mental and emotional readiness to perform at their best during this critical academic stage. Additionally, a long weekend break has been scheduled after the mid-second-semester exams each year to promote student well-being and educational balance. The calendar was designed to ensure a fair distribution between the two semesters while covering all curriculum content within the approved number of school days, ensuring a highly efficient educational process. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education emphasised that this calendar reflects its ongoing efforts to develop educational policies that serve the interests of students, teachers, and parents. It also enhances the effectiveness of Qatar's educational system, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, which prioritises human capital development as a cornerstone for building a knowledge-based society. Key changes in Qatar's 2025–2028 academic calendar explained Policy change Details Mid-year break Fixed in the last third of December for all schools (public and private) to unify scheduling. First semester exams Held before Qatar National Day (Dec 18) to allow student participation in national events. Ramadan exam adjustment No mid-second-semester exams during Ramadan to support religious and cultural practices. Extra Ramadan days off Two additional days off during Ramadan for students and staff in 2025–26 and 2027–28. 'Test Day, Rest Day' system Applied to second-semester exams for high school certificate students to enhance performance. Post-exam long weekend Scheduled after mid-second-semester exams to support student well-being and recovery. Balanced semester distribution Calendar ensures fair academic distribution while covering all curriculum content efficiently.
Zawya
06-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
University of Doha for Science and Technology partners with Naseem Health Care to offer discounted medical services
Doha, Qatar: University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Naseem Health Care LLC, a leading regional medical services provider. The agreement will provide discounted healthcare services to UDST's students and employees, while also offering on-campus health campaigns and awareness lectures. Through this agreement, Naseem Health Care will offer a wide range of discounted services and provide onsite check-ups that include dental screenings, blood pressure and sugar level measurements, as well as dermatological consultations. The collaboration also includes free consultations at Naseem's premium medical centers and medical support for UDST events. This initiative reflects UDST's continued commitment to student and employee well-being and its drive to build mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance the campus experience. Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Salem Al-Naemi, President of UDST, stated: 'This partnership highlights the University's ongoing priority of ensuring the health and safety of its academic community and its continuous efforts to promote a safe and supportive educational environment. We are proud to collaborate with a trusted provider like Naseem Health Care, known for its strong track record in delivering advanced medical services that meet the evolving needs of our University community.' Dr. Munir Ali Ibrahim, General Manager of Naseem Healthcare, stated: "We are honored to partner with UDST, a leading institution dedicated to excellence in education and the well-being of its academic community. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advancing healthcare accessibility and quality for students, faculty, and staff. At Naseem Healthcare, we take pride in delivering innovative and patient-centered medical services, and we look forward to supporting UDST's mission of fostering a safe, healthy, and thriving learning environment. Together, we will ensure that the university community receives the highest standard of care, aligned with Qatar's vision for a progressive and sustainable healthcare ecosystem." The agreement also sets the stage for future collaboration in health awareness, outreach, and educational engagement. About Naseem Healthcare: The Largest Private Healthcare Network in Qatar Naseem Healthcare is a globally recognized Healthcare provider, renowned for delivering top-quality medical services to guests around the world. Our eight branches offer comprehensive medical care, supported by cutting-edge technology, unmatched medical expertise, and first-rate support facilities. Our unwavering commitment to quality is reflected in our guest-centric approach, which prioritizes accessibility, round-the-clock availability, professionalism, and the highest standard of medical care. We endeavor to enhance the quality of life for our guests and communities by providing exceptional medical services. Our exceptional medical care and commitment to excellence have established us as one of Qatar's foremost medical providers. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide innovative and comprehensive medical services that meet the unique needs of our guests and communities while maintaining the highest standards of quality. The agreement also sets the stage for future collaboration in health awareness, outreach, and educational engagement. About University of Doha for Science and Technology: University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) was officially established by the Emiri Decision No13 of 2022, and it is the first national university specializing in academic, applied, technical, and professional education in the State of Qatar. UDST has over 70 bachelor's and master's degree programs, diplomas, and certificates. The university houses 5 colleges: the College of Business, the College of Computing and Information Technology, the College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Health Sciences, and the College of General Education, in addition to specialized training centers for individuals and companies. UDST is recognized for its student-centered learning and state-of-the-art facilities. Its world-renowned faculty and researchers work on developing the students' skills and help raise well-equipped graduates who proudly serve different sectors of the economy and contribute to achieving human, social, and economic development goals nationally and internationally. For more information, visit: or follow us on UDST Official
BBC News
01-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Oxford Spires Academy ditches smartphones for 'brick' phones
A secondary school has banned smartphones for years seven to 11 and will only allow basic "brick" phones from Spires Academy's head teacher said the move would create a "calmer, more focused environment".Several schools in the south of England are bringing in similar measures for younger pupils to prevent them from accessing the internet, apps or Department for Education said about 97% of schools were restricting phone use in some way, with many heads now exercising their right to implement complete bans. From September, smartphones at Oxford Spires Academy will become prohibited items that must not be brought into school. If found, they will be confiscated and a parent or carer will be required to collect teacher Louise Cowley said she had taken on board feedback from students, parents and staff about how addictive mobiles were. "We recognise that student attention spans are becoming shorter, they are becoming disrupted by the need to want to check their phones and that's impacting lessons and also how they're communicating and socialising with each other in school, as well as out of school," she said. "So just bringing it in for Year 7 didn't feel right, it felt it needed to be a whole school recognition for this piece of technology not being conducive to positive learning habits" she those who responded to a parent survey, 70% said they were concerned about phone use with some reporting that children were using them for more than five hours a day. A total of 64% said they would support a smartphone restriction before Year 10 and 68% said they would buy a "brick" phone if peers did the some parents said they were concerned about their child travelling to and from school without a smartphone, Mrs Cowley said students would be supported with the transition and would be allowed to keep a basic phone in their bag as long as they were switched off and kept out of sight. Max, 13, said too many pupils were using their phones in school. "I've seen people play games and communicate on social media during classes and I think it's affecting their learning," he said. Beatrix, 13, admitted feeling addicted to her phone and said it would take time to get used to the ban. She added: "It will be quite unnerving to know my phone's not on me and it's at home."Sixth formers will only be allowed to use a smartphone in their common room. Talluah, 17, thinks the new policy will have a positive said: "I think the policy is going to be really good regarding safeguarding for the younger year groups and regarding their mental health and how secure and comfortable they feel in school." Other secondary schools introducing a smartphone ban for Year 7 pupils in September include: Wheatley Park and Chipping Norton schools in Oxfordshire; Swanmore College and Petersfield School in Hampshire; St Peter's Catholic School in Dorset and Bohunt School in Berkshire. Eton College brought in basic phones for new pupils joining the school last week, a group of school leaders launched a new map to show which schools had gone completely smartphone free. Some schools, including Aureas School in Didcot, have taken a different approach and have chosen to lock phones away in magnetic pouches during the day. The Hurst School in Tadley, north Hampshire, was one of the first to introduce Yondr pouches in June 2021."Certainly the behaviour of our students is much improved... also even 18 months later our GCSE results went up by 2% against a backdrop of nationals coming down, and now four years later our progress has got 50% better and in fact we're still striving for more," said head teacher Jayne McLaren supports a move towards more basic phones, adding: "I feel young people need us to put those boundaries and parameters in... before they're overwhelmed with social media... you wouldn't hand your car keys over to a young person right now but that doesn't mean we don't want them to drive in the future." 'Bold steps' Nearly 150,000 parents have signed a Parent Pact to hold off giving their child a smartphone until at least 14 and social media until grassroots movement known as Smartphone Free Childhood took off in February co-founder and director, Daisy Greenwell, said: "It's hugely encouraging to see more secondary schools taking bold steps to go smartphone-free. "These devices – designed to be addictive – are having a real impact on young people's mental health, learning and relationships. Removing them from the school day is a crucial first step."Ms Greenwell acknowledged schools could not do it alone, instead she said a cultural change was needed to normalise delaying giving smartphones to children.A recent study found that banning phones in schools was not linked to pupils getting higher grades or having better mental classroom behaviour, exercise, and how long was spent on phones overall were also found to be no different for pupils at schools with phone bans and those without, the researchers University of Birmingham academics did find that spending longer on smartphones and social media in general was linked with worse results across all those report's author, Dr Victoria Goodyear, concluded that school phone bans "in isolation are not enough to tackle the negative impacts".A bill suggesting banning smartphones in schools and addictive algorithms aimed at young teenagers will be debated in parliament this July following widespread concerns.A spokesperson from the Department for Education said: "Mobile phones are a distraction from learning and have no place in our classrooms, which is why our clear guidance sets out that school leaders should be restricting their use."Schools already have the power to ban phones, and we support head teachers to take the necessary steps to prevent disruption." 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