Podcasts about Education minister

This week, Will and Rahul speak to business correspondent Arunoday Mukharji in Delhi about how India's youth unemployment crisis helped force the resignation of the country's Education Minister and why it could mark a turning point for India's Gen‑Z. Exam leaks and a shortage of opportunities have sparked some of the biggest youth protests in years, raising difficult questions for the government. Nearly two-thirds of Indians are under 35, and more young people are graduating than ever before. But many can't find jobs. Can India create enough jobs for a generation with rising expectations? And what happens if it can't?Presenters: Will Bain, Rahul Tandon and Arunoday Mukharji Producer: Rebecca SmyllieYou can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

Clare is currently one of just 10 counties in Ireland without a standalone Irish-medium secondary school, and campaigners say students and families who choose education through Irish deserve a complete pathway from primary through to second level.    The Education Minister has said there are currently no plans for a new school in Clare, pointing to existing post-primary capacity and alternative options such as Irish-medium units within English-medium schools.    Joining Alan Morrissey earlier to discuss the issue were Ennis-based musician and campaigner Cathy Potter, who has written to Clare Government TDs calling for action, and Mayor of Clare and Corofin Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Killeen, a former INTO President who has previously raised concerns about Irish-language education provision in the county.  Photo (c) Gaelcholáiste an Chláir via Facebook

India’s education minister was forced to resign on Saturday after months of protests. Despite starting off as a satirical movement, the Cockroach Janata Party served as a catalyst for these nationwide education protests. People demanded accountability from the government after the recent NEET medical entrance exam leaks that caused millions to have to retake the grueling exam. Image Credit: Shutterstock - Sudarshan JhaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Rishi Nagar talks to Dr. Jagroop Sekhon, retired Professor and former Head of the Department of Political Science at Guru Nanak Dev University to unpack the political and social implications of the recent protests led by CJP in India. The discussion examines the resignation of the Education Minister, whether the outcome signals a weakening of the Indian government, and the political strategies that shaped the movement. Dr. Sekhon offers his expert perspective on how public pressure, media attention, and changing forms of activism influenced the protest's trajectory.

Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. “Cockroach Movement” student protesters 20 July 2026 (image by Sumita Roy Dutta) Trump, world leaders praise Trump ally Sen. Graham at funeral ceremony, recalling his support for Ukraine, Israel; 100 days before midterm elections, House Dem leader Jeffries blasts MAGA republican record; Missouri Dem candidates for House Bush, Bell both oppose ICE, Iran war, but disagree on Israel; India's “Cockroach Movement” youth protesters celebrate win after resignation of India's Education Minister; Florida executes 2 men on same day, including oldest in FL's modern history The post Trump, world leaders praise Trump ally Sen. Graham at funeral ceremony ; India's “Cockroach Movement” student protesters celebrate win after resignation of Education Minister – July 28, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

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This podcast offers a scathing critique of the Indian education system under the current administration, specifically targeting the National Testing Agency's failures. The author argues that the government has systematically undermined public learning through centralization and commercialization, leading to a total collapse of institutional credibility. Significant emphasis is placed on the NEET and UGC-NET scandals, where allegations of paper leaks and administrative incompetence have devastated millions of students. Because of these repeated breakdowns, the source demands the resignation of the Education Minister to address the growing lack of public trust. Ultimately, the passage characterizes these issues as a deliberate assault on the democratic foundation of the country and the future of its youth.

Headlines: The Whitsunday Conservation Council's criticisms of the Queensland Government's State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026India's Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned after a week of nationwide student protests over an exam leak scandalSegments:- Listened back to the Pine Gap Convergence, the traditional owners of the land of Kuyunba, the Hayes family gave a letter to Pine Gap. We heard Arrernte elder Felicity Hayes reading the letter from outside the gates of Pine Gap, last Monday. - The Hayes Family telling us what happened when they entered the gates of Pine Gap and presented their letter.  - Close Pine Gap Convergence from outside the gates last monday, a few speeches from:  Greens Senate David Shoebridge, Palestinian activist Remah Naji, two nurses from the MUA Union - giving a message from Paul Keating, the maritime union Sydney branch and First nations activist Desmond Blurton - The Art of Resistance tour drove in a convoy across the desert to protest militarism and extractivism. On the 6th of july they went to wellfield A on sacred Arabunna Country in south australia to shed light on the impacts this borefield has on one of the largest uranium mines in the southern hemisphere. Izzy Brown and first nations activist shed light on this issue.  - Activists outside the gates of BHP's Olympic Dam mine in Roxby Downs On the 7th of July  - 2 segments of one of the panels from the Close Pine Gap Convergence, this panel was about colonisation and imperialism - struggles here and abroad. We heard from first nations professor Katheryn Gilbey and Remah Nahi  Music: War Pigs by Black SabbathBow Down by Barkaa 

Your daily news in under three minutes.For more on these stories, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com And connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Wildfires in B.C.'s interior have merged promoting officials to expand evacuation orders. A Mediterranean heatwave is fueling wildfires in southern Europe and forcing tens of thousands of people to flee. India's Education Minister is stepping down after days of student protests across the country. Yemen's Houthis claim they have struck two oil refiners of Saudi Aramco in the cities of Jizan and Yanbu, in Saudi Arabia. India's education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan steps down as student protests spread across the country. Ottawa is rejecting Ontario's plan to expand Toronto's Billy Bishop airport. BC nurses are wrapping up three weeks of job action after accepting recommendations from mediators. LeBron James is heading to Philadelphia to join the 76ers.

Stacie Hueter delivers the latest news on Houthis' rebels counterstrikes toward Saudi Arabia, the resigntion of India's Education Minister, and President Donald Trump's speech at the 2026 White House Correspondant's Dinner on 7/25/26.

Listen to the latest SBS Hindi news from India. 22/07/2026

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Erica Stanford says a VPN ban was never on the table. Barrister and Free Speech Union Council Member Douglas Brown isn't convinced. Douglas joins host Dane Giraud for a freewheeling episode on three stories that end in the same place: someone else deciding what you can see online. The Post reported the Government had been looking at VPN restrictions as part of its under-16 social media ban. Within hours, ACT and NZ First ruled it out and the Education Minister denied it was ever considered. But the select committee report on online harm mentions VPNs 19 times and recommends them as an area for the regulator to explore. Douglas explains what a VPN actually is, who relies on them, and why an under-16 ban cannot be enforced without imposing age verification on every New Zealander. Then Citizen Vigilante, the Uwe Boll film starring Armie Hammer that was refused classification in Germany. Elon Musk shared it, it topped the charts, and the Streisand effect did the rest. From Thomas Paine's Rights of Man to Life of Brian to Spycatcher, suppressing a work has always been the surest way to promote it. Finally, the UK's plan to force social media platforms to give prominence to approved 'trusted news' providers, including the BBC. Who decides what counts as shared and accurate facts?Support the showhttps://www.fsu.nz/https://x.com/NZFreeSpeechhttps://www.instagram.com/freespeechnz/https://www.tiktok.com/@freespeechunionnz

The Education Minister denies ever considering banning Virtual Private Networks as part of the social media ban for under-16s, but says the tool was talked about. The Post reported this morning Erica Stanford was looking at prohibiting VPNs, which lets internet users mask their location and online address. The Prime Minister and Stanford rejected the claim. She says they discussed VPNs in a different context. "They can be used for children to get around social media bans, and we also talked about the fact that big tech firms have the ability to know when children are doing that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are long-term benefits for an early childhood programme pushing oral language skills before school. The Government's widening access to ENRICH to a further 450 centres – with practical tools to increase toddler-teacher communication. Education Minister Erica Stanford says the Dunedin trial was a success and has the backing of three decades of evidence. She told Mike Hosking this particular programme is really easy to implement and the professional development is straightforward. The Education Minister is also stressing that there must be societal change around the way young people use social media. Australia is pushing ahead with tougher penalties for tech companies after evidence that county's ban has had little effect. Last month the UK Prime Minister also announced it will pursue an under-16s ban on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Stanford told Hosking a ban here won't be a silver bullet straight away. She says the Government's watching Australia's implementation to make sure New Zealand's approach is more effective. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are hopes new progress in language learning will go beyond early childhood education. The Government's widening access to ENRICH for a further 450 centres. The programme is now backed by three decades of evidence, with practical tools to increase toddler-teacher communication. Advocates for Early Learning Excellence Chair Kelly Seaburg told Ryan Bridge it paves the way for a zero-to-18 years literacy pathway. She says strong foundational language leads onto early literacy and structured curriculum. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour says the Auditor General's report on the Healthy School Lunches programme is one half of the story. Only 50% of last year's lunches complied with Education Ministry nutrition standards, and the Auditor General also took aim at safety issues, contingency planning and rollout. The Associate Education Minister claims the report's driven by former lunch providers upset about changes to the scheme. Seymour told Mike Hosking that the report doesn't compare the quality of the programme before and after he took over. He says they've been very critical in various ways, and he's happy to answer their criticism, but they haven't evaluated the whole programme. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has urged students to stay away from drugs, stressing that drug abuse is not a path to success and warning of strict measures in schools

Listen to the latest SBS Hindi news from India. 29/06/2026

Another school year has wrapped up, and report cards are out! Everett Hindley, Saskatchewan's Minister of Education, joins Evan to share his grade for the year and what challenges the government has to tackle come the fall.

Deb hosts the Minister live in studio. Inside the protest at Ford Fest. GUESTS: Paul Calandra - Ontario education minister JP Hornick - President of OPSEU

Protestors in New Delhi, India are demanding the resignation of India's education minister.

Achievement and attendance gains are being celebrated at some charter schools for disengaged students. Annual reports show four of the seven that opened last year met Government attendance or achievement targets. Associate Education Minister David Seymour says Christchurch's Mastery School is the standout performer, despite missing achievement targets. He told Heather du Plessis-Allan it was established for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, and they're close to ticking boxes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Houses were stormed and set alight, buses were hijacked and burned in a night of protests in Belfast after a knife attack in the city on Monday, which saw the victim lose one eye.Joining Shane to discuss these protests is Paul Givan, DUP MLA and Northern Ireland's Education Minister and Claire Hanna, Leader of the SDLP and MP for Belfast South and Mid-Down, to discuss.

The number of foreign teachers hired to fill gaps is at a record high. Ministry of Education data shows of a workforce of about 78 thousand, almost 10 thousand come from abroad. That means 12.5% of the workforce is trained overseas, rising to 13.3% among full-time teachers. Education Minister Erica Standard told Heather du Plessis-Allan schools often recruit international teachers themselves. She says they've been using overseas teachers for many years, often as a stopgap until domestic numbers increase. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jack McGinn speaks to Ella Loneragan about the state's biggest Indigenous businesses and their growth. Plus: BHP's $160m boost to Port Hedland; WA's economic growth; and Education Minister dodges university merger talks.

The Education Minister wants higher pay rates for tradies who work as unqualified teachers - but she has to persuade the unions first. The PPTA says schools are in need of more people to teach the trades, and outside educators should be fully qualified if they're to be paid the same as registered teachers. Te Pūkenga CEO Gus Gilmore says it's important to attract the best people to educate young Kiwis interested in going into the trades and it's important to match market demand. "These are very experienced people.. the skills that they have as trained professionals in their field should be rewarded accordingly." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julian de Spainn, Ard rúnaí Chonradh na Gaeilge, reacts to comments by the Education Minister suggesting no new Irish language secondary schools will be built over the next five years.

The Government is providing 70 million dollars of funding to double the number of places in trade academies. On Friday Morning Report spoke with John Gilmour, who helps run the Ringa Raupa - Eastern Bay Trades Academy, in Opotiki, where students learn what it takes to build a house. Education Minister Erica Stanford joins the show.

John Maytham speaks to Digital Law Company founder Emma Sadlier about the Basic Education Department’s plan to create screen time regularions for kids between 2-6years old. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on the podcast, we look at the government's latest promise to cut down the size of the public service. Duncan breaks down why this feels like a rerun and questions if it highlights a first-time failure. Plus, Education Minister Erica Stanford joins us to discuss her major curriculum reforms and new primary school funding. We also check out your feedback on Winston Peters' big policy bombs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erica Stanford insists her curriculum reform adds sunlight and accountability to the sector. In a pre-Budget announcement, the Education Minister has announced $131 million to help improve students' reading, writing, and maths. It'll also include more professional development for teachers and school leaders in those areas. Stanford told Mike Hosking New Zealand's been in a black hole for some time. She says students aren't proficient in basic timetables, facts, or reading until they get to high school, and are struggling. She says we've been in the grip of a liberal education experiment that states assessing young people is bad for their mental health – which is ridiculous. Also in the announcement was a pledge to give schools more maths and literacy resources, and 36 extra maths intervention teachers. Stanford told Hosking more teachers are added every Budget, and she'd fund more if she could. She says they'll take small groups struggling with maths out of classes to get them where they need to be, and it's never been done before. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Budget 2026, there's a promise of $131 million for education - which includes taking on students falling behind. The pre-Budget funding announcement pledges to give schools more maths and literacy resources and 36 extra maths intervention teachers. Education Minister Erica Stanford says educators and principals have already voiced their excitement about the additional funding to her. "My focus is on parents and children and raising achievement - and parents can feel confident that no matter where their child is at school, it doesn't matter, it's the same curriculum." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A significant investment's in store for primary schools - as maths results begin to improve. The Education Minister's set to announce a boost for classroom resources and teacher support this afternoon. It comes as 36% of Year 6s met maths expectations in 2025 - up from 30%. Massey University Distinguished Mathematics Professor Gaven Martin says that's more than four thousand extra students succeeding. He says if this success persists, it's tens of thousands doing well, when they were otherwise failing. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Education Minister says the new secondary school qualifications are achievable and aspirational. Yesterday, Erica Stanford announced senior students will need to pass three out of five subjects to achieve the new certificates. The new system will be phased in from 2028 and reward students with endorsements for passing all five subjects. Stanford explained that the first tranche of the curriculum has been sent out for consultation. "They're going to be dropping it in three tranches, just to not overwhelm the sector. I've got a group of principals who are keeping an eye on it - the curriculum advisory group." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major roll out of the Government's new curriculum's been delayed for some subjects following months of pressure from the education sector. The new curriculum for science and social sciences will be phased in across two years, beginning at the start of 2027. The new health and physical education, the arts, technology, and languages curriculum will also begin to be rolled out in 2029. Education Minister Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking science and social sciences are just as important as maths and literacy. She says the reason Social Sciences have been prioritised is that it's so knowledge rich, which is so important for young people. Stanford told Hosking students can't afford to go back to the old curriculum. She says parents are stopping her in the street and say they're noticing a difference – achievement is improving and results are turning around. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education Minister Erica Stanford has responded to critics of her controversial curriculum rewrite with a mix of conciliation and defiance. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

Critics of the Government's new draft curriculum have raised concerns that it's skipped over some key areas, and the Education Minister is looking to clear things up. Earlier, Auckland University's Darren Powell earlier claimed knowledge vital for students' understanding of mental heath, food and nutrition and sexual education is absent from the draft. Erica Stanford says the curriculum covers health, wellness, tolerance and consent, and the Government was very careful in planning this out. "Everything in the curriculum, all the way up, is about mental health and building resilient kids and doing it in a wonderfully positive way. It is a wonderful curriculum and it just indicates to me, frankly, that a lot of these people who are speaking out have not actually read the curriculum." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Associate Education Minister's defending the school lunches programme despite dozens of early safety complaints. There were 21 food safety probes into the lunches from May 2024 to mid-November 2025. Some investigations came after reports of metal wire, fragments, or glass were discovered in food. David Seymour told Mike Hosking it's 21 lunches out of around 13 million. He says the issues are from when Government overtook Labour's scheme or the first term of their new scheme, which faced some teething issues. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to lead one of the world's highest-performing education systems? In this episode of Top Class, OECD Editor Duncan Crawford speaks with Estonia's Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas. Drawing on Estonia's experience with digital learning, teacher professionalism and long-term student well-being, Kallas reflects on the pressures facing education leaders today, including rapid technological change and teacher shortages. The conversation also explores how Estonia has sustained strong outcomes over time, which lessons may (and may not) translate to other countries and the recent International Summit on the Teaching Profession, which was held in Tallinn. You can find the OECD's latest publication for the International Summit on the Teaching Profession – Reimagining Teaching in an Accelerating World – here: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/international-summit-on-the-teaching-profession_23127090.html

Temporary fuel support is being funnelled into keeping rural schools up and running. The Education Minister's speeding up replacing diesel boilers for up to 70 schools. Our smallest schools are getting one-off $2500 grants - and student commute allowances are being hiked 30 percent for 5000 students. Erica Stanford says mileage support's more than doubling for relief teachers at remote schools. "If it doesn't make financial sense for you to go out and drive to a rural school, then you may not choose to do that, and we don't want that, it's already difficult enough for them to get relievers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anna Taylor, Executive Director of the Food Foundation, this week talks to Olivia Bailey, the Department of Education Minister responsible for school food in a week of exciting announcements who tells us about her vision for school food and how she hopes changes coming in September, will benefit children and young people.For more information on the School Food Project click here and read our latest briefing about school food quality here.Sign up for the Food Foundation newsletter to ensure you get all our news and updates here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Seymour believes financial flexibility is playing a role in the rapid growth of charter schools. New figures show more than 1,400 students were enrolled in 16 schools as of last month. The first seven schools established have seen their rolls jump more than 200% from 215 to 650. The Associate Education Minister told Mike Hosking charter schools demonstrate what's possible within the learning environment. He says they can be shut down if they don't reach targets like attendance and academics, but in return get the flexibility to use money their way. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it possible...or smart...to try to remove ideology from schools? What does it even mean? Whose responsibility is it to decide how and what students learn? We ask Alberta's Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides about the UCP's controversial Bill 25 in our feature interview presented by Mercedes-Benz Edmonton West.  THIS EPISODE IS PRESENTED BY RapidEX FINANCIAL. THE CRYPTO WORLD MOVES FAST, BUT YOUR TRUST IN AN EXCHANGE SHOULDN'T BE A GAMBLE. RapidEX IS SECURE, FINTRAC-REGISTERED, AND NON-CUSTODIAL. SAVE 50% ON FEES ON ONLINE INTERAC E-TRANSFER TRADES WITH PROMO CODE RYAN50 AT https://rapidexfinancial.com/. MBEW: https://www.mercedes-benz-edmontonwest.ca/ 36:00 | Dolph Lundgren, one of the biggest action stars in Hollywood history, talks to us about his cancer fight and the decision to discuss it during filming of the documentary film Dolph: Unbreakable. 1:02:00 | Taste of Spring is a fresh new festival celebrating the food, art, and culture that makes Jasper so special. We have details in this edition of #MyJasper Memories proudly presented by Tourism Jasper.  TASTE of SPRING: https://www.jasper.travel/taste-of-spring/ 1:05:10 | Filmmakers Nauzanin Knight, Sheena Rossiter, and Adam Scorgie join our Real Talk Round Table on opening day of NorthwestFilmFest.  GET TICKETS TO NORTHWESTFEST: https://www.northwestfest.ca/ 1:55:00 | Remember Curtis Wright, the Canadian who's been detained by ICE for six months? We've got an update on his situation. 2:00:00 | PM Mark Carney's Liberals are now one seat away from a majority, as Ontario MP Marilyn Gladu crosses the floor. We dig into the developing story.  2:07:30 | Who surrendered Tuesday - Iran or the United States? We hear a few different perspectives on the ceasefire deal that will temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and see what Real Talkers have to say in our Live Chat powered by Park Power.  TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ THE REAL TALK LIVE STREAM is presented by CALIFORNIA CLOSETS. BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY: https://californiaclosets.ca/ REGISTER for the HEARTS & HANDS POKER TOURNEY on APRIL 16/17: https://benstelterfoundation.com/ FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

The Education Minister's hitting back at union claims her flagship assessment tool is falling flat. The Educators Collective says fewer than 60% of schools have signed up to the SMART reporting system, with some not planning to use it. The tool gives parents progress markers and twice-yearly updates for Year 0-10 students. But Erica Stanford told Mike Hosking the criticism is a political hit job and the union's fudged the figures. She says 250 thousand students were signed up to SMART in nine working days, which shows the sector understands assessment is important to raise achievement. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 8 April, 2026, we talk to a Middle East correspondent about whether the ceasefire between the US and Iran will hold. Reserve Bank governor Anna Breman on the warning bells ahead as she keeps the official cash rate at 2.25%. We talk to the owner about what you'll get if you buy Australia's smallest town. And one of our Huddlers, Maurice Williamson and Jack Tame, is hot on schools ignoring the Education Minister's new SMART tool. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Decades ago, Ontario's colleges operated with a goal of improving local economies and regional communities. Now, Premier Doug Ford claims if you're not in a highly-skilled field, the baskets you're looking to weave are no where to be found. With cuts to OSAP on the provincial level, and caps to student visas on the federal level, the mission of our colleges have seemed to have shifted towards keeping the lights on with as little investment as possible. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Emilda Thavaratnam, an educator at Centennial College. She authored an article called 'Ontario's colleges were founded to serve local and regional needs — have we forgotten that?'. The two discuss how the college system's ethos has shifted from locally-driven to profit-yielding, and how the province's most vulnerable are falling between the cracks. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Rebecca Davis, Senior Journalist at Daily Maverick, speaks to John Maytham about Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube’s efforts to clean up the Department of Basic Education, and the reported pushback she is facing from within the department as she tries to drive reforms aimed at improving governance, accountability, and overall efficiency. The discussion explores the internal dynamics that may be slowing down or complicating these changes, as well as what these challenges reveal about the state of the education system, and what it will take for meaningful reform to take root and deliver better outcomes for learners across South Africa. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour says schools will remain open as long as possible as fuel prices continue to rise. The Ministry of Education's been developing contingency plans as rural schools grapple with a shortage of relievers and falling attendance. Seymour —the Associate Minister of Education— says the Government won't repeat Labour's mistakes during the Covid era. He told Mike Hosking schools will only move to online learning if we face severe fuel disruptions. Seymour says we're not even close to that right now. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.