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By Kaushalya Perera Sri Lankans love their educational qualifications. Qualifications permit envious comparisons of value, similar to the ownership of gold jewellery, an expensive watch or a branded pair of shoes, resulting in exactly the same questions of provenance, worth and authenticity, but from a much higher moral ground. For the past two weeks we, the people, have watched as allegations that the (now) ex-Speaker’s educational qualifications were faked, proliferated across the news and social media. We waited for him to prove otherwise, all the while observing how his party and his current place of work (the Parliament) seemed to have neither the will nor the means to verify these claims. As I write, the ‘qualifications war’ has turned into an Absurd play. Why were the ex-Speaker’s qualifications so important? This is a two-fold problem related to the unhealthy relationship that Sri Lankans have with qualifications, coupled with NPP’s self-branding as a ‘clean’ party. Let’s take the second part first. One of the NPP’s pledges was that they would give ‘sudussata sudusu thaena’, i.e., appropriate positions to suitable individuals. This was a constant thread of their election rhetoric and it was accepted as a counter to the rampant nepotism and cronyism we have been seeing. After the (ex) Speaker stepped down, the Prime Minister said in Parliament that her Party includes members with no certificates, as well as those with many qualifications; that all are equally valued because her party values all types of knowledge; and that knowledge cannot be understood narrowly. I fully agree. It is the kind of vision I expect from a Minister of Education. At the same time, it cannot be denied that the NPP knowingly played the qualifications game during their long drawn-out campaign. The JVP’s image—associated in public discourse with ragging, student protests and workers’ strikes—was subsumed into the NPP’s much-vaunted membership of professionals, academics and artists. And the reason why the ‘qualifications game’ was so effective as election currency is precisely because Sri Lankans value qualifications so highly, in such a problematic way. It provided legitimacy to the NPP’s portrayal of themselves as a party standing against a host of corrupt charlatans. This brings us to the first part of the problem – our love of qualifications. In the education sectors, we’re all familiar with that little line: ‘A certificate will be provided’, which is included to increase participant numbers. Also familiar are instances of people registering for a specific course disappearing from the actual class and turning up at the ‘certificate-awarding ceremony’. Further, degrees are often demanded in some sectors for jobs that do not require one. This love of qualifications is not a new phenomenon. In an interesting article, titled ‘The growth of foreign qualification suppliers in Sri Lanka’, published in 2005, Angela W. Little and Jane Evans describe the growth of the ‘qualification marketplace’ in Sri Lanka. They found that advertisements by ‘qualification-suppliers’ in three national newspapers (Sinhala, Tamil and English) grew steeply over three decades, rising from 15 qualification-suppliers in 1965 to 153 in 2000. One can only imagine what a post-2000 study would reveal! The authors chart the rise of the qualifications industry in parallel with the economic liberalisation and economic growth that occurred post-1980. Though they did not make this link, we can connect this rise to the failure to expand higher and vocational education to a growing population and a fast-changing economy, during two decades of political upheaval. During this period, public funds for education declined, and declined even more sharply post-2000, despite large loans from international financial organisations. This is the context for both the deterioration of public education and the rise of privately-funded education, which is symbolised by the desire for a qualification, rather than an education. Qualification versus education Re-creating a society that values learning and education over a certificate of qualification would involve a protracted and difficult journey. It would require a few decades of high quality, widely-accessible education as well as moral re-socialisation: a simple-sounding solution, yet one that is very difficult to initiate and achieve. Indeed, it would be illogical to expect any kind of moral or ethical socialisation from an underfunded and damaged education system, embedded in a decaying society. The fact remains that the education sector desperately needs actual physical resources. Today, while a small proportion of schools in Sri Lanka contemplate installing computer labs, other schools are deprived of the basics; school meals, electricity, running water, uniforms, chairs, desks and books. We also need more and better paid teachers, plus national regulations and explicit minimum standards for the teaching profession, regardless of whether they are in the state, private or international sectors. A larger issue that is not discussed is that we actually do not know enough about our own education system. Our attention has for too long been focused on the state education system, resulting in a lack of attention towards other sectors, e.g., early education, private and international education. The education ecosystem in the country needs urgent study, and researchers across disciplines can contribute to this need. And while the education sector has accepted multiple donations and loans, it is not at all clear if these funds are used in a manner that best fits the purpose. In summary, it is vitally important that the fundamentals must be fixed. But we need to also re-think the way we over-estimate the value of a qualification, as against a wholesome education. A re-examination of values and ethics The fact that we value qualifications rather than an education has been apparent for a long time now. The prevalence of forged certificates and honorary doctorates is not the only indicator. Long before ChatGPT arrived, newspapers and social media were advertising ghostwriting services, i.e., the writing of assignments and dissertations for a fee. This is a business that is clearly unethical and must surely be illegal, but it is now so common that both the suppliers and their clients appear to consider it perfectly normal. We have come to value quantity over quality: two degrees simultaneously, more qualifications, promotions and rankings based on numerical criteria and so on. Start somewhere It is obvious that ethics socialisation has not happened through education in Sri Lanka. This is a major problem that has no simple or quick solution. When the Parliament that is supposed to be discussing the interim budget of a financially distressed country spends that time trading accusations with each other about each other’s educational qualifications; when an MP is unable to prove – even after a week – the qualifications he claims to possess and then imagines that it is sufficient to resign from his position but not from his seat in Parliament; when a party that has pledged immediate action on corruption-related issues takes several days to effect a resignation from a powerful position; and when the Prime Minister and Cabinet Spokesperson are angered when questioned about matters of veracity and authenticity – we know we still have a long way to go to re-socialise a population into ethical beliefs and conduct. It is not enough to prevent bribes and reduce wasteful spending. We also need to start looking at providing meaningful and broad-based public education, where learning and integrity go hand in hand. (Kaushalya Perera teaches at the Department of English, University of Colombo.) Kuppi is a politics and pedagogy happening on the margins of the lecture hall that parodies, subverts, and simultaneously reaffirms social hierarchies.

Ex-CDC Director Says 'Possible' US Created Viruses in ChinaLooking ahead, Dong Yuhui remains committed to innovation and excellence in all aspects of his business. The "small essay" incident may have been a dark chapter in his career, but it ultimately paved the way for a brighter and more promising future. As the one-year anniversary of the incident approaches, Dong Yuhui stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and integrity in the face of adversity.As the news of Lin Jing En's downfall spread, discussions and debates erupted online, with fans, critics, and industry insiders weighing in on his situation. Some called for compassion and support for the fallen star, urging the public not to judge him based on his current circumstances. Others pointed fingers and assigned blame, questioning the industry's role in pushing talented individuals to the brink of despair.In recent news, authorities in Zhengzhou have reported numerous cases of patrons experiencing symptoms of dizziness and lightheadedness at local bath centers. The incidents have raised suspicions of carbon monoxide poisoning, prompting investigations into the potential sources of the toxic gas.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A person accused of accosting U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol Office building pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor assault charge. Witnesses told police that James McIntyre, 33, of Chicago, shook Mace's hand in an “exaggerated, aggressive” manner after approaching the South Carolina Republican in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening, according to a police affidavit. Mace, who is identified only by her initials in a court filing, posted a string of social media messages about the incident. She said she was “physically accosted” at the Capitol, and she thanked President-elect Donald Trump for calling her Wednesday morning to check on her condition. “I’m going to be fine just as soon as the pain and soreness subside,” Mace wrote. Mace declined to be treated by a paramedic after her encounter with McIntyre, who was arrested Tuesday by the Capitol Police, the affidavit says. Mace told police that McIntyre said, “Trans youth serve advocacy,” while shaking her hand. Last month, Mace proposed a resolution that would prohibit any lawmakers and House employees from “using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.” Mace said the bill is aimed specifically at Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride — the first transgender person to be elected to Congress. A magistrate judge ordered McIntyre’s release after an arraignment in Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Efforts to reach an attorney for McIntyre weren't immediately successful.

The decision by the PLA to clear the airspaces near Taiwan has sent shockwaves throughout the international community, raising concerns about the potential for a military confrontation in the region. With tensions running high, the risk of a miscalculation leading to a dangerous escalation is greater than ever before.MQ-Next: 5 Key Facts On The USAF MQ-9 Reaper ReplacementColby Rogers made 6 of 9 3-pointers and scored 28 points as host Memphis defeated No. 16 Ole Miss 87-70 on Saturday afternoon. Rogers fouled out and finished one 3-pointer and one point short of his career-highs in both categories and Memphis never trailed. PJ Haggerty added 17 points, Dain Dainja had 16 and Moussa Cisse, an Ole Miss transfer who's in his second stint with the Tigers (10-3), had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Sean Pedulla scored 13, Jaylen Murray had 12 and Malik Dia added 11 to lead the Rebels (11-2), who had won their last five games. Memphis scored the first five points of the second half to increase its lead to 43-36. Pedulla made a layup for Ole Miss' first points, but Nicholas Jourdain made consecutive field goals to push the lead to nine. Mikeal Brown-Jones made two free throws for the Rebels before Haggerty made a 3-pointer and Cisse added a tip-in for a 52-40 lead. Pedulla made a jumper before Brown-Jones was ejected for committing a Flagrant 2 foul. Haggerty made both of the technical free throws and Rogers added two 3-pointers to push the lead to 16. Ole Miss got within 11 points four times, but couldn't get any closer until Matthew Murrell's dunk trimmed the lead to 76-67 with five minutes remaining. Rogers answered with a 3-pointer and Dainja added two field goals to increase the lead to 16. Murray made a free throw, but the Rebels didn't make a field goal during the final 5:32. The Tigers scored the first four points of the game and Haggerty had four as they opened a 9-2 lead. The Rebels made consecutive field goals before Memphis scored eight straight points for a 17-6 lead. Eduardo Klafke made a 3-pointer to end the run, but Rogers' 3-pointer helped the Tigers increase the lead to 27-14. Ole Miss scored the next seven points before Cisse's basket ended the run. The Rebels closed within four points four times Brown-Jones made two free throws to trim the lead to 38-36 at halftime. --Field Level MediaOpposition Leader John Pesutto defamed ousted Liberal MP Moira Deeming, the Federal Court has found, in a high-stakes judgment that could cost him his job. Pesutto was ordered to pay Deeming $300,000 for the damage to her reputation in a damning judgment that found he had defamed her on five separate occasions. Independent MP Moira Deeming (centre) pictured arriving at court ahead of the judgment. Credit: AAPIMAGE Deeming alleged she had been “tarred with the Nazi brush” as part of Pesutto’s “campaign” to expel her from the parliamentary Liberal Party, her barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC, had told the court. Deeming, who now sits on the crossbench of the Victorian Parliament, had helped organise the Let Women Speak rally on March 18, 2023. Neo-Nazis were among several groups of protesters that arrived at the steps of parliament that day. She condemned the men, said they were not there to support her cause, and told the court she did not see them until they were escorted away by police. Pesutto moved to expel Deeming from the parliamentary party in the following days. She was instead suspended in a last-minute compromise, but was ultimately expelled weeks later, after threatening to bring in lawyers. Handing down his decision on Thursday after hearing more than three weeks of evidence that damaged the party room and threatened stability, Justice David O’Callaghan agreed Pesutto had defamed Deeming. Rumblings to overthrow Pesutto in October did not amount to anything, but many in the party room had privately accepted that a loss for Pesutto would make his position as leader untenable.

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In the world of tech and artificial intelligence, recent developments have set the industry abuzz. From the highly anticipated launch of OpenAI's Sora platform to the surprising reveal of Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun's new vehicle YU7, and Apple's stance on Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the tech landscape is experiencing rapid changes that are reshaping the future of innovation.The ongoing conflict in Syria, which has been raging for years, has already resulted in widespread devastation and loss of life. The addition of these latest airstrikes only serves to exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and in need of urgent assistance.

One of the key objectives of the AI data center is to accelerate the development and deployment of AI solutions across various industries, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and retail. By providing a collaborative environment for data scientists, engineers, and industry experts to collaborate and innovate, the center aims to drive digital transformation and drive economic growth.In his statement, Liu Yang explained that the decision to resign was not one that he made lightly. He cited a disagreement over a new exclusive agreement that the school had proposed, which he felt was not in line with his values and principles as an educator. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but it was clear that they had a significant impact on Liu Yang's decision to leave.An Absurd play in Parliament: Qualifications versus educationWho Is Making a Difference in Fresno? Explore This List of 2024’s Shining Stars

House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minorsStars arrive at the 2024 Royal Variety Performance after Queen pulls out

In light of this, Tencent Video made the decision to implement the new policy of limiting VIP members to streaming content on only one device at a time. This change, while unpopular among some users, is seen as a necessary step to ensure the long-term sustainability of the platform. By restricting simultaneous playback, Tencent Video aims to reduce the strain on its servers and resources, thereby improving overall streaming quality for all users.The current investigation in China highlights the growing concerns over foreign companies operating in the country and their compliance with local laws and regulations. The Chinese authorities have ramped up efforts to ensure that companies like NVIDIA adhere to fair business practices and do not engage in any activities that may harm consumers or competitors. The potential consequences of this investigation could have significant implications for NVIDIA's operations in one of its key markets.