On account of the Covid-19 global pandemic, so far over 185 countries have implemented nationwide closures, impacting over 1.542 billion or 89.4% of the world’s student population (total enrolled learners, pre-primary to university). That is about 20% of humanity (UNESCO Global Education Coalition, 31 March 2020).
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2020-04-032024-06-20Focus, Thought Leaders
Great lessons for us all from some feminist literature
One does not always know where to start on a topic so delicate as feminism – a movement that fights for the total attainment of not only equal rights for women, but also the upliftment of their status in every sphere of life in our societies.
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2020-04-022024-06-21Focus, International
Europe coronavirus death toll tops 30 000 – AFP tally
PARIS – The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 30 000 people in Europe, more than three-quarters of the deaths registered in Italy and Spain, according to an AFP tally at 07:00 GMT Wednesday using official figures.
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2020-04-022024-05-07Focus
Japanese business sentiment negative, Aussie papers stop printing
SINGAPORE – Here are the latest developments in Asia related to the novel coronavirus pandemic:
Confidence among Japan’s biggest manufacturers has plunged into negative territory for the first time in seven years, a key survey showed, as the coronavirus pandemic hits demand and disrupts production.
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2020-04-022024-05-07Focus
SA says virus tally rising slower than thought
JOHANNESBURG – The coronavirus epidemic has killed five people and infected 1 353 in South Africa, the health minister announced Tuesday, saying the spread of the virus was not as rapid as expected.
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2020-03-272024-06-20Focus, Thought Leaders
Fear, panic and suspicion: The media and coronavirus
How the media frames an issue can and do have priming effects. In other words, the media as it did at the onset of the HIV/Aids pandemic by framing it as the gay plague, as a death sentence once contracted etc, can promote a stigmatising attitude, widespread panic and fear resulting in people coming up with bizarre solutions like sleeping with babies, virgins and what have you that served to compound rather than solve the problem.
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2020-03-272024-06-20Focus, Thought Leaders
Notes on the coronavirus pandemic
Deadly pandemics and epidemics, caused by viruses and bacteria, are part of human history. Spectacular examples include: the Plague of Justinian during 541-542 (30-50 million deaths); Bubonic Plague/Black Death during 1347-1351 (200 million deaths); Smallpox in 1520 (56 million deaths); The Third Plague in 1855 (12 million deaths), and the Spanish Flu in 1918-1919 (40-50 million deaths).
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2020-03-272024-06-20Focus, Thought Leaders
Will homeschooling finally replace the traditional school system?
When schools and higher education institutions were closed two weeks ago because of the deadly Coronavirus that has ravaged the whole world, little or no preparation was made to keep learners and students focused on their books.
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2020-03-202024-05-07Focus
Video: Members of the public share their views on Independence Day.
Video: Members of the public share their views on Independence Day.
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2020-03-202024-06-20Focus, Thought Leaders
30 years of Namibian independence shrouded in deep secrecy
On 21 March 2020, Namibia will clock 30 years of independence, shrouded in secrecy of torture and disappearances of many Namibians in Lubango dungeons of Angola. Many of the victims of this horrendous chapter in the Namibian liberation history were unfortunate for not accorded fair hearing and decent burials appropriate for heroes. Shockingly it has been a taboo to talk about those dark hours of the dungeons, as it would be opening old wounds.