Childhoods are the biggest casualty in the Syrian War
Almost 80% of Syrian children have been affected by war whether within Syria or outside. If a concerted action is not taken between relief agencies, warring countries and the countries of refuge we may lose an entire generation of children.
Hassan was playing hide-and-seek when the top floor of his house was attacked. Hassan’s mother took her 3 sons and fled. “My mother was carrying my baby brother and we were walking between bodies in the street.” They haven’t heard from Hassan’s father since and don’t know if he’s alive. The family are now refugees in Lebanon and Hassan is desperate to go to school. His brother is teaching him to read and write. “Now I know the alphabet and numbers. I only wish for 2 things: to find my father and go to school.”
Hassan is 5 years old the same age as the war in Syria and is among the 3.7 million ‘Children of War’ – 1 in 3 of all Syrian children born in the shadow of war. This figure includes 306,000 children born as refugees since 2011, according to a UNICEF report.
Last week, as the war in Syria completed 5 years let’s take stock of what this journalist feels is the biggest casualty of the conflict – childhoods. At an age when children should be in school, learning new things, playing innocent games and looking up to their parents for love and guidance; they are fighting an adult war, continuing to drop out of school and many are forced into labour while girls are marrying early. Nearly 7 million children live in poverty, making their childhood one of loss and deprivation.
In total, UNICEF estimates that some 8.4 million children – more than 80 % of Syria’s child population – are now affected by the conflict, either inside the country or as refugees in neighbouring countries. “5 years into the war, millions of children have grown up too fast and way ahead of their time,” said Dr. Peter Salama, UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Most of the ‘Children of War’ have lost a minimum of 1 family member while some of them have been maimed themselves. I find it difficult to comprehend how these tiny children come to terms with the psychological impact of losing someone from their family at a tender age. It is only natural that many children shed their childhoods and take up family responsibilities. To many it means not going to school but scavenging broken furniture and other wooden items that could fuel fire for warmth and cooking, to some others it means working at stalls while the unfortunate ones find themselves enlisted at a tender age of 15.
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The most heart breaking fall outs of the war has been that children’s learning has been disrupted. School attendance rates inside Syria have hit rock bottom. UNICEF estimates that more than 2.1 million children inside Syria and 700,000 in neighbouring countries, are out-of-school. While the UNICEF and partners have launched the “No Lost Generation Initiative” committed to restoring learning, the absolute apathy towards the young population by the insurgents as well as the alliance countries is grievous and unforgivable.
I am compelled to mention Syrian artist Diala Brisly, who having escaped to Beirut continues to bring hope to children in Syria through her magazine ‘Zayton and Zaytonah’ – like Olive and Oliver, a boy and a girl. “The main purpose is to remind kids about being a human being and keep them away from being a fighter”, says Diala. The magazine carries illustrations by Diala which speak of hope and optimism in the face of the odds. The magazine is surprisingly still printed and circulated among children in Syria.
The Syria conflict began in March 2011 as a popular uprising against President Assad that quickly escalated into civil war. Since then, more than 250,000 people have been killed. Almost half the pre-war population of 23 million has been displaced, including more than 4.8 million who fled their homeland.
If not for UNICEF and other humanitarian organisations from across the globe that have been on the ground since the conflict began, helping mobilize the largest humanitarian operation in history and working closely to provide education, physical protection, psychological support and clothing to Syrian refugee children in Iraq, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and other countries; these children will lose whatever little hope that they are clinging to.
The only fault of these Children of War is that they are born in the wrong country at the wrong time. Grasped in the vice of a political storm they have lost their innocence, their childhoods and maybe very soon the hope of a better future. Will we be able to look into our children’s eyes tomorrow and give them a straight answer when they ask, “What did we do for these children?” Remember they maybe Children of War today but tomorrow they will be Adults carrying the War inside them and who knows that War may turn up at our doorstep.
The political theatre over Syria has inflicted a lot of damage and the worst casualty being childhoods and creating an entire generation of ‘Children of War’. Whether we cradle this generation and soothe their wounds or we leave them by the roadside allowing bitterness against the entire world to fester in their minds is entirely in the hands of powers that be. All I would say in parting is, we cannot afford to sow more seeds of potential hatred for I wouldn’t want my children to partake the poisonous fruit of these seeds.
Delhi to implement age 6 rule for Class 1 under NEP 2020 reforms.
In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009, the Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of NCT of Delhi, has issued a directive mandating that children must be 6 years old to gain admission into Class 1 starting from the academic session 2026–27.
This move aligns Delhi’s education system with the restructured 5+3+3+4 school framework introduced in the NEP 2020. Under the revised structure, the foundational stage will now include three years of pre-primary education before Class 1: Nursery (Bal Vatika/Preschool 1) at age 3, Lower KG (Preschool 2) at age 4, and Upper KG (Preschool 3) at age 5. Class 1 will be open to children only upon completion of 6 years of age.
All Heads of Government, Government-Aided, and Recognized Unaided Private Schools have been instructed to adopt this change beginning in the 2026–27 academic session.
By standardising entry age norms, the move aims to promote uniformity and developmentally appropriate learning, ensuring children enter Grade 1 equipped with foundational skills from three years of early childhood education.
Tripura government has announced plans to integrate sex education and HIV/AIDS awareness into its school curriculum
In a progressive step towards comprehensive health education, the Tripura government has announced plans to integrate sex education and HIV/AIDS awareness into its school curriculum, Chief Minister Manik Saha confirmed.
According to officials, the curriculum update aims to equip students with accurate knowledge about sexual health, disease prevention, and safe practices—key factors in curbing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the state. With around 5,000 active cases reported by late 2024, including a notable infection rate of 0.33% among adults and over 800 student cases, the move is seen as a timely measure.
The new content will be deployed through age-appropriate lessons, Red Ribbon Club activities, and sensitisation drives led by health and education officials. This initiative builds upon previous efforts, such as school- and college-level awareness programs, the involvement of key stakeholders, and information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns across rural and urban centers.
Chief Minister Saha emphasised the role of educators and community leaders in delivering accurate information and fostering a supportive environment: “Students from school to college level should be made aware of the dangers of this disease,” he remarked earlier.
The curriculum integration aligns with state-level action under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). It resonates with India’s broader public health mandate to move HIV/AIDS education from stigma to mainstream schooling. By addressing misconceptions and promoting prevention early, Tripura hopes to protect its youth and reduce dropout rates among vulnerable groups.
Government Girls Senior Secondary School, NIT-5, Faridabad
In a proud moment for Indian education, four schools from across the country have been named among the top 10 global finalists in the prestigious World’s Best School Prizes 2024, organised by UK-based T4 Education. These awards honour schools that are pushing the boundaries of innovation, inclusion, and community impact — and this year, India has made its presence felt in four out of five categories.
A Snapshot of India’s Global Finalists
From government to private, rural to urban — the diversity of India’s representation this year is striking.
Government Girls Senior Secondary School, NIT 5, Faridabad (Haryana) – Supporting Healthy Lives A government-run school is redefining what public education can achieve. By interweaving nutrition, mental health, and physical well-being into its core ethos, the school is transforming the lives of at-risk girls, ensuring that no student is left behind.
Ekya School, JP Nagar, Bengaluru (Karnataka) – Innovation Recognised for reimagining learning through a design-thinking framework, Ekya encourages student agency, interdisciplinary inquiry, and real-world problem-solving — a blueprint for future-ready schooling.
ZP School, Jalindar Nagar, near Pune (Maharashtra) – Community Collaboration A rural government school that has placed local communities at the heart of education. By building trust and ownership at the grassroots, it has created a model of sustainable, community-driven transformation.
Delhi Public School, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) – Environmental Action Known for its strong environmental initiatives, DPS Varanasi’s students lead from the front — managing waste, conserving energy, and creating a campus-wide culture of sustainability.
These schools are now among 50 global finalists, selected from thousands of applications worldwide. The shortlist highlights institutions not merely chasing academic results but actively shaping well-being, equity, and systemic reform in education.
What Happens Next
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All 50 finalist schools are now competing for the Community Choice Award, determined through an open global vote. Winners across each of the five main categories — Supporting Healthy Lives, Environmental Action, Innovation, Community Collaboration, and Overcoming Adversity — will be announced in October 2024.
The celebration will culminate at the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi in November, where global education leaders will convene for a high-impact dialogue on best practices and policy influence.
The Broader Picture
Launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World’s Best School Prizes have rapidly emerged as one of the most influential accolades in global education. Powered by T4 Education, a platform that connects over 200,000 educators worldwide, the awards are more than just recognition — they are a launchpad for schools to amplify their voice, scale impact, and drive systems-level change.
For India, the presence of four unique schools among global changemakers is both a celebration and a reminder — that bold ideas, no matter where they are born, can shape the future of learning.
Kendriya Vidyalayas continue to set benchmarks in academic excellence (Logo: Ministry of Education, Govt. of India)
In a significant move aimed at streamlining school assessments and improving learning outcomes, the Ministry of Education has recommended that seven states—Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Manipur, Odisha, Telangana, and West Bengal—adopt a common board for Class 10 and 12 examinations.
The recommendation follows a detailed analysis by the Department of School Education, which found that these states accounted for a staggering 66% of student failures across India last academic year. In total, over 22 lakh students failed Class 10, and 20 lakh failed Class 12 nationally in 2024, highlighting persistent challenges in retention and transition to higher education.
“Not having a common board leads to poor academic outcomes,” said School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, stressing that standardisation in assessment, curriculum, and evaluation is key to reversing this trend. “A common board is the way forward for ease of schooling,” he added.
India currently has 66 examination boards, including three national-level boards and 63 state-level ones. However, only 33 of these boards cater to 97% of enrolled students. The rest, often covering smaller student populations, contribute disproportionately to inconsistent academic performance.
The report also placed a renewed focus on the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), especially in high-failure states. While NIOS currently has a stronger presence in Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana, the ministry wants to see its footprint expand in the recommended states to engage unsuccessful students and prevent dropouts.
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However, the report didn’t just stop at structural issues. It shed light on regional and linguistic disparities in student performance. For instance, students taking exams in Odia and Malayalam consistently outperformed peers writing in Kannada, Telugu, and Assamese. Interestingly, Kerala, with its integrated board system, recorded an astounding pass rate of 99.96%. Odisha and Manipur also showed success rates above 97%.
Meanwhile, Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) and Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) continue to set benchmarks in academic excellence. The report found that 72% of NV students cleared NEET-UG, with strong showings also reported in engineering entrance exams. NVs, which cater primarily to rural talent, seem to be reinforcing the case for equity in access to quality education.
As conversations around NEP 2020 continue to push for holistic, inclusive, and standardised learning, the Centre’s recommendation serves as both a wake-up call and a window of opportunity. With the right reforms, these states could be on the brink of a transformative shift in student success.
MIT clinches the top spot in the QS World University Rankings 2026 with a perfect score of 100. (GettyImages/File)
Indian institutions continue their upward momentum on the global academic stage, with IIT Delhi emerging as the country’s top-ranked university in the QS World University Rankings 2026, securing the 123rd spot. It is closely followed by IIT Bombay at 129 and IIT Madras at 180, solidifying India’s footprint in the global top 200. However, no Indian university has yet broken into the top 100.
The latest edition of the QS rankings, released by higher education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds, evaluates over 1,500 universities across more than 100 countries. The rankings serve as a barometer of academic excellence, research output, and global relevance.
At the global level, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retains its crown, scoring a perfect 100. Imperial College London follows in second place (99.4), with Stanford University (98.9), the University of Oxford, and Harvard University rounding out the top five. Institutions from the US and the United Kingdom continue to dominate the upper echelons of the list, though Asia-Pacific universities are making notable gains.
Among the rising performers, Malaysia’s Sunway University recorded the most dramatic leap, climbing 120 places in a single year.
The QS World University Rankings 2026 place increasing emphasis on research impact, global engagement, and sustainability, alongside traditional indicators like academic and employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, and internationalisation.
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Despite a vast student population and growing academic ambition, no Indian university has entered the global top 100—a gap that invites reflection. While the steady rise of institutions like IIT Delhi signals progress, it also highlights the need for sustained investment, deeper international collaborations, and a sharper focus on research and innovation. The QS rankings, then, are not just a recognition of how far Indian higher education has come, but also a gentle nudge towards how much further it can go.
Meghalaya finds itself at the bottom of the PGI-D 2023–24 rankings, with a score of 417.9 out of 1,000.
The Union Ministry of Education has released the Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) 2023–24, assessing how states and union territories (UTs) fared across critical school education indicators such as learning outcomes, equity, and infrastructure. The report places Chandigarh at the top, with Delhi and Punjab also emerging as strong performers.
The PGI-D ranks regions across ten performance levels, with Utkarsh being the highest possible grade, awarded to those scoring above 90% of 1,000 total points. However, no state or UT achieved that benchmark this year. Chandigarh was the only unit placed in Prachesta-1, the fifth-highest band, with a score between 701–760 points.
Ten other states and UTs, including Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, Odisha, Kerala, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, were placed in Prachesta-3—the seventh tier on the index—with scores ranging from 581 to 640.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya stood at the bottom of the list with a score of 417.9, becoming the only state placed in the tenth and lowest category. Mid-performing regions included Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Himachal Pradesh.
According to officials, the PGI-D is designed to act as a catalyst for system-level improvements, offering comparative data to support evidence-based decision-making. By standardising assessment across a range of domains, the index aims to help districts identify learning gaps, infrastructural deficits, and policy blind spots.
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While the top bands remain elusive, the data offers insights into where systemic support and targeted interventions are needed most.
Revamped Curriculum: Maharashtra Offers Language Flexibility in Early Schooling
Facing strong backlash, the Maharashtra government has rolled back its earlier decision to make Hindi compulsory as a third language in Marathi and English-medium schools. A revised resolution issued by the School Education Department now offers students the flexibility to choose any other Indian language in place of Hindi for Classes 1 to 5.
According to the corrigendum aligned with the State Curriculum Framework – School Education 2024, Hindi will be the default third language; however, alternatives are permitted if students prefer them. If at least 20 students in a class opt for a different language, a dedicated teacher will be appointed. For fewer than 20 students, the subject will be delivered via online mode.
The updated directive also reiterates that Marathi remains compulsory in all schools, regardless of the medium of instruction. In non-Marathi and non-English medium schools, the three-language formula will include the school’s medium, Marathi, and English.
The language policy for Classes 6 to 10 will continue under the framework of the State Curriculum Framework (SCF) 2023, which aims to enhance multilingual learning while respecting regional and linguistic diversity.
The revision comes after political and public criticism, including opposition from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and recommendations from the state’s language consultation committee.
Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary DoSEL, flags off 20 Indian school students for the Sakura Science Programme 2025, promoting global exchange and innovation.
In a significant initiative fostering international collaboration and scientific curiosity, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, flagged off 20 school students selected to participate in the Sakura Science Programme 2025. The ceremony was led by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), alongside senior officials, including Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi, Joint Secretary, and Prof. Prakash Chandra Agrawal, Joint Director, NCERT.
The Sakura Science Programme, initiated by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), aims to promote youth exchange in science across Asia. India joined the initiative in 2016. Since then, over 600 Indian students have experienced Japan’s technological landscape through this unique programme.
This year’s cohort—comprising 7 boys and 13 girls—represents Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and government schools across remote and diverse regions such as the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Ladakh, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. The programme runs from June 15 to 21, 2025, and includes participants from Malaysia, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
Speaking at the event, Shri Sanjay Kumar described the programme as a “golden opportunity to explore a developed nation like Japan,” urging students to fully engage with its potential to inspire innovation and global understanding.
Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which underscores experiential learning and interdisciplinary exploration, this initiative strengthens India’s vision of holistic, engaging education. Japan—renowned for its technological excellence and rich culture—continues to be a valued partner in shaping the next generation of Indian innovators.
Directorate of Education mandates all Delhi schools to mark June as Anti-Malaria Month, promoting awareness, preventive action ahead of the monsoon season.
In a renewed push for public health education, the Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has instructed all government and private schools to actively observe June as Anti-Malaria Month, ahead of the monsoon season.
The directive, issued through an official circular on Friday, calls upon heads of government, government-aided, and private unaided recognised schools to implement proactive measures for malaria prevention and awareness. This follows an earlier advisory from April 15 on the control of vector-borne diseases, including dengue and chikungunya.
The circular reiterates the Ministry of Health’s national goal of eliminating malaria by 2030. “June is observed annually as Anti-Malaria Month to raise awareness, promote community participation, and sustain preventive efforts before the onset of monsoon,” the DoE noted.
Schools have been urged to conduct regular inspections to eliminate stagnant water and potential mosquito breeding grounds. The circular recommends that institutions display malaria prevention do’s and don’ts prominently on campus. An annexure with precautionary measures has been provided for this purpose.
The directive further encourages schools to sensitise their staff on the risks and symptoms of vector-borne diseases. It also suggests using social media platforms to disseminate awareness messages, alongside organising health talks and interpersonal communication sessions.
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All departments, offices, and educational institutions under the DoE’s purview have been asked to actively participate in the initiative, ensuring a health-conscious start to the academic calendar.
This move underscores the growing role of schools as agents of public health advocacy, empowering students and communities with timely, actionable knowledge.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy witnesses MoU signing with six NGOs to provide free tech-enabled education across Telangana’s government schools.
In a landmark step towards digital equity in education, the Telangana government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with six leading non-profit organisations to provide state-of-the-art, technology-enabled learning completely free of cost to government schools across the State.
The MoU, formalised in the presence of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday is part of the State’s broader push to ensure inclusive, quality education for underprivileged students. “We are laying the foundation for a knowledge-based future. These partnerships reflect our commitment to ensuring no child is left behind in this digital age,” said the Chief Minister.
The collaborating organisations include EkStep Foundation (led by Nandan Nilekani), Prajwala Foundation (Sunita Krishnan), Physics Wallah (Alakh Pandey), Khan Academy, Pi Jam Foundation (Shoaib Dar), and Educate Girls (Safina Hussain). Each brings a unique offering to the table:
EkStep will expand its AI-powered multilingual foundational learning platform from 540 to over 5,000 primary schools across all 33 districts.
Physics Wallah will offer free NEET, JEE, and CLAT coaching to Intermediate-level students.
Khan Academy will roll out curriculum-aligned STEM video content for Classes 6–10.
Prajwala Foundation will introduce child safety and protection modules for Classes 6–12.
Pi Jam Foundation will offer coding and computational thinking courses from Classes 1–10.
Educate Girls, already active in the State, will continue efforts to boost girl-child enrolment and literacy.
Senior officials, including Government Advisor K. Kesava Rao, Education Secretary Yogita Rana, and School Education Director Narasimha Reddy, were present at the signing, underscoring the administration’s intent to drive systemic change through strategic public–NGO partnerships.