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 Early starts and flexible pathways in career planning To allow students time to make informed specialisation choices and pivot towards new industry transformations, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University reworked their curriculum for students to take common modules in their first year, and only choose their major in the second. New courses in Artificial Intelligence, and Innovation and Entrepreneurship also grow students to be competitive in the digital age. In the United States, research has shown that early career planning starting from middle school can keep students in school longer. Hands-on experience with industry partners connects education to life, keeps students engaged in learning, and challenge self-limiting notions, allowing students to dream bigger and achieve their goals. Students are more likely to succeed in their academic journeys with proper support and guidance in choosing diverse career pathways that play to their strengths and interests; from being inspired by industry developments at an early age, to having the flexibility and skills to thrive in a dynamic workforce. Education in the Spotlight: The Straits Times | How have school designs in Singapore changed through the decades? Schools have changed in shape, size and design alongside changes in the education system. We look at the evolution of school buildings and their architectural identities over the years. South China Morning Post | As Hong Kong begins a hopeful new chapter, an overhaul of the education system is long overdue Instead of channelling students into schools classified into bands based on academic performance, specialist secondary schools focusing on specific skills should be set up. The Conversation | Biology with Tibetan Buddhist monks: What I’m taking back to my college classroom from teaching at a monastery Biologists’ understanding of life incorporates animals, plants and bacteria. Traditional Tibetan monastic teachings, on the other hand, base life on the idea of consciousness. Ed Surge | Can the Metaverse improve learning? New research finds some promise Recent research shows promising results with students watching in VR reporting higher enjoyment and higher interest, and doing better on tests of the material as a result. Brookings | COVID-19’s impact on learning losses and learning inequality in Columbia Surprisingly, research in Columbia found that students from wealthier backgrounds were most affected by COVID-19, contrary to other countries where socioeconomically disadvantaged students suffered larger learning losses. The Star | Green method equals big savings for school A school in Penang, Malaysia is reaping the benefits of rainwater harvesting. Not only are the staff and pupils conserving resources to help the planet but the school has also reduced its water bill. The Hechinger Report | Earth Day is over, but there’s a lot more schools can do to address climate change Leaders need to seize this moment to help schools embrace a sustainable and healthy future.