Every week, HEADlines brings you the latest news, stories and commentaries in education and healthcare. This week, get insights on the latest developments in education. image *This wordcloud is based on the headlines of all featured articles in the Education issues this year. Education in review: 2021 In this final issue of the year, we take a look at the hot topics in Education through 2021. Challenges to schooling through the pandemic dominated the conversation, with key topics such as education technology, mental health, online learning, and school culture standing out. Members of the education community struggled to adapt: Students were challenged and sometimes limited by various modes of hybrid learning. Educators struggled with burn-out, increased workloads, and the constant need to quickly create effective remote lessons. Parents became heavily involved in their children’s education as schooling was brought home. The prevalent use of education technology in the classroom marked a significant global shift in pedagogy, however its persistence post-pandemic is still being debated. Digital inequity became increasingly apparent as well-resourced schools afforded adequate digital infrastructure, while under-resourced communities adopted a mix of online and offline learning. Gender inequity during remote schooling was also concerning, as girls faced setbacks in prioritising their education when learning from home. In discussions on the future of education, climate change and artificial intelligence (AI) rose to the fore. While global leaders debated climate change in conferences like The Davos Agenda and COP26, much still needs to be done to provide robust sustainability education to all students. The role of teachers is also shifting with the rise of AI in classrooms for responsive learning and grading. There have also been surprising reforms to education during the pandemic, such as China banning tuition for its core examinable subjects during weekdays, and forcing tuition companies to go non-profit. In a year of uncertainties, learning loss, and lessons gained, resilience has been a buzz word for many. We have witnessed many educators step up to challenges and demonstrate extraordinary ingenuity and grit to put education first. As we wind down another year in the pandemic, we look to 2022 for a smoother year ahead, with certainty that educators and students will continue to find ways to make education for all a reality. Highlights of 2021: Let’s take a look at the notable articles of the year. In Early Childhood Education: The Conversation: ‘Generation C’: Why investing in early childhood is critical after COVID-19 COVID-19 has led to global shutdowns that have rattled economies, communities and families, and will affect children for years to come. In K-12 Education: Brookings: Collaborating to transform and improve education systems: A playbook for family-school engagement This playbook on family-school collaboration makes the case for why family engagement is essential for education systems transformation and why families and schools must have a shared understanding of what a good quality education looks like. In K-12 Education: South China Morning Post: From Singapore and Malaysia to the Philippines, teachers say online learning left them struggling with mental health: ‘I dread going to school’ Thousands of teachers across Asia are struggling with their mental health as the switch to online learning brings new sources of stress and, for some, feelings of inadequacy and guilt. In Higher Education: The Conversation: Future of college will involve fewer professors Some colleges and universities may be using AI technology to help teach their students. In Technical and Vocational Education and Training: The Hechinger Report: A surprise for America’s many career switchers: They need to go back to school Rapid change in work means a need for more training, even in jobs that didn’t previously require it. In Sustainability Education: Schools to plant more trees, teach students about future of ‘green jobs’ as part of Singapore’s Green Plan These are among initiatives that the Ministry of Education will adopt as part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, a roadmap which charts how the Government plans to become more environmentally sustainable over the next 10 years. In Education Policy: The Straits Times: China to ban for-profit tutoring in core school subjects: Document China’s for-profit education sector has been under scrutiny as part of Beijing’s push to ease pressure on school children and reduce the cost burden on parents. Responding to the times: Our initiatives We at The HEAD Foundation have felt the waves of change from pandemic-era schooling, and have joined the conversation to help educators get back on their feet. Here are some programmes we are glad you have been part of! HESB 10: State of the Region In this commemorative tenth edition of HESB (Higher Education in Southeast Asia and Beyond), we invited leading researchers and policymakers to share their insights and analysis on the future of higher education in each of the 11 Southeast Asian countries. Download the magazine for free. Making HEADway: Webinars and handbook series Our practitioner-focused handbook and webinar series brings together strategies and actionable tips by leading academics and educators. This year, we covered topics on building a positive school culture, bridging the gaps in remote learning, and methods to enhance remote learning experiences. Download all the accompanying handbooks for free. Continue the conversation on our Facebook group, Teaching, Leading, Learning. Commentaries This year we published 5 commentaries on the topics of STEM education and gender parity in Southeast Asia, as well as sustainability education. Read them here. We want to hear from you! As we wind down another year in the pandemic, we welcome critical perspectives on the hot topics this past year, as well as wishes for education in 2022. Reply to this email with your critical perspectives and wishes for the new year ahead. We may feature them in next year’s opening issue!