With a new government elected in Nigeria, Oluwafemi Ogunjobi, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria, reviews the legacy of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Every May 29 is Democracy Day in Nigeria. It is a day that commemorates the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. Nigeria faces a change of government as President Goodluck Jonathan relinquishes power to President-elect, Muhammadu …

“Will Nigerians miss former President Jonathan?” Read More »

A unique workshop took science, technology and ethics to a teen audience in Nigeria. Timi Olagunju, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, was one of the presenters in the program promoting education and leadership.  In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “the price of liberty is eternal vigilance”, and education is the ability to learn, unlearn, …

“Partners in education and governance for Nigeria” Read More »

A summit on Nigeria’s education issues gave Musa Temidayo, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria, opportunity to discuss policy and to experience a different part of the country. I recently learned the happy news that I would be leading the crusade of the Global Youth Ambassador (GYA) #UpForSchool preliminary launch in Nigeria’s Edo State. So, I got set …

“Edo summit examines Nigeria’s education issues” Read More »

Salma Yusuf, a Sri Lankan-based human rights lawyer, lecturer and Commonwealth Correspondent, was invited to present a Sri Lankan perspective following the Colombo screening of the documentary “Girls Rising: Education of Girls”. The right to education has been recognized since the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, which states in Article 26 …

“Girls Rising: perspectives from Sri Lanka” Read More »

While education is a highly-valued goal, there can be hurdles along the way. Nutifafa Geh, 29, a Correspondent from Ho in Ghana, writes that sharing stories about those struggles is one way of solving problems and helping students. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and unlike the way I normally spend my break time, I …

“Championing education by telling stories” Read More »

Bangladesh is a partner in space research but so far has no astronaut of its own, writes Monica Islam, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, who examines some of the issues in the country’s space industry. The Convocation Plaza of a private university in Bangladesh was packed with enthusiastic youths when NASA astronaut Ronald J. …

“When will we see a Bangladeshi in space?” Read More »

Universal primary education is still a distant goal, writes Summaya Afaq, 23, a Correspondent from Karachi, Pakistan, but she argues that the goal is attainable if there is the political will to change priorities. The 21st century’s leaders are striving hard to implement democratic values that guarantee peace, stability and prosperity and ensure that no individual …

“Leaders need to prioritise books, not bullets!” Read More »

Students are protesting a tax on univesity fees, but Abdullah Al Hasan, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, explains that the protest warrants wider support from the public. Studying at a university is one of the biggest dreams of every student, especially the students who do well in academic results. In Bangladesh, every year, …

“Tax on education; silence from civil society” Read More »

Primary school is free in Nigeria, but as Musa Temidayo, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria writes, other factors can push children to give up their dreams and find a living on the streets.   In Lagos, Nigeria, public primary education is free, as it is in some other states in the country, yet you meet …

“Matthew’s story – education on the street” Read More »

Being a peer educator for disadvantaged students proved to be an inspirational experience for Ishan Agarwal, 20, a Correspondent from Kolkata in India, who describes an unforgettable pupil. Eleven year old Salma had probably realised that education was her only way to emancipation, to get out of the sordid mess her life had become. Being forced by her …

“The story of Salma’s path to education” Read More »