U.S. Public Education Increasingly Drawing Attention From Private Philanthropy

The Broad Foundation, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization established in 1967 by billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad and his wife, Edythe, announced Thursday that it would donate $100 million to Yale University. But the donation will be directed to training leaders in the realm of public education, from kindergarten to high school (K-12). The $100-million donation will help the Yale School of Management create a master’s degree program, free to students who aspire to lead in America’s public school systems in areas of management, public health, law, child development, policy, criminal…

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SC panel declares public health emergency in Delhi-NCR, bans construction till Nov 5

A Supreme Court mandated panel on Friday declared a public health emergency in the Delhi-NCR region and banned construction activity till November 5. As pollution level in the region entered the “severe plus” category, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority also banned the bursting of crackers during the winter season. The air quality in Delhi-NCR deteriorated further Thursday night and is now at the severe plus level, EPCA chairperson Bhure Lal said in a letter to the chief secretaries of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi. “We have to take…

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Can LIC’s investments in public sector units hurt policyholders?

In the last five years, Life Insurance Corp. of India’s (LIC) investments in state-run banks and the government’s disinvestment programme have almost doubled, according to news reports. Moreover, of the total investments made by LIC worth ₹26.6 trillion, as of March 2019, ₹22.6 trillion went into the public sector and only ₹4 trillion went into the private sector, showed data from the Reserve Bank of India. While this may work in favour of some of the public sector undertakings (PSUs), it’s not clear how it will impact the customers of the insurer. Disha Sanghvi asks experts how this might affect…

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WV House Hosts Two Public Education Hearings

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – The House chamber was packed for the first hearing, which began at 8 Monday morning.  Dozens of educators, parents, administartors and lawmakers all debated both for and against the bill. The biggest concerns remain about school choice and items such as Education Savings Accounts and charter schools. “An attck on all educators as you work to devalue our certification and allow charter schools to hire non-certified induviduals. An attack on our already financially-strapped school systems who struggle each day,” said Jeffrey Reynolds, Mingo County Educatuion Association.…

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Social media for public employees

Social media is a virtual world that can have real-life consequences. Facebook, Twitter and other online platforms are considered public space, and controversial statements from employees can have negative effects on their employer.  The Times inquired about social media policies at local municipalities, police and fire departments, school districts and a private business. Fire department  Fire Chief Ryan Volz said they’ve had issues in the past with firefighters posting inappropriate things on Facebook. He’s gotten a few calls from residents complaining about firefighters’ online conduct.  “Being in the public eye…

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Cape Town’s water crisis is already posing a risk to public health

People queue to collect water from a natural spring in Cape Town. (AP Photo/Anwa Essop) The water crisis hitting Cape Town is increasing the danger of diseases that surge when people do not wash their hands. The four million residents of South Africa’s second-largest city are being urged to get by on 50 liters (13 gallons) of water per person per day. That leaves roughly 2 liters (0.5 gallons) a day for washing hands and brushing teeth, or roughly one-eighth the amount of water than most people consume each time they wash their hands and face.…

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