UK schools considering three day weeks to combat energy and salary costs

Aug 15 2022

Several schools across the UK are considering a bold move to a three-day week in the autumn term as they struggle with rising energy cost and teacher salary payments.

Several heads of schools are holding crisis meetings with boards of governors as the summer holidays progress and they need to plan ahead for reopening classrooms next month.

The costs are rising faster than school budgets can possibly allow, with teacher pay rises set to add another burden as they are expected to be awarded in September.

With some schools reporting an expected rise by 300 percent, they have also been facing a good amount of pressure as funding per pupil has dropped by 9% between 2010 and 2020.

An unnamed chief executive of the leading academy trusts in the country said that shorter school days, fewer after school programmes and draconian restrictions on energy usage will ‘become a reality for all trusts.’

Others are planning to cut back on maintenance work or will forego resources such as textbooks, whilst other schools have survived by going into their financial reserves.

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Scotland first country in the world to provide free period products

Aug 15 2022

Scotland is set to become the first country across the globe to introduce a law to safeguard the right to free period products.

The Period Products Act will come into force Monday, and councils as well as education providers will be legally required to ensure free sanitary products are available to anyone in need.

The legislation was unanimously approved by the Scottish Parliament in 2020 after it was proposed by Labour MSP Monica Lennon. Having campaigned to end period poverty since 2016, she described the bill as practical and progressive.

“I’m proud to have pioneered the Period Products Act which is already influencing positive change in Scotland and around the world,” she said.

“This is another big milestone for period dignity campaigners and grassroots movements which shows the difference that progressive and bold political choices can make.”

Scotland’s councils will each decide what exact arrangements are put in place, but they will all be legally obliged to give anyone who needs them access to a range of products.

At present tampons, pads and some reusable products are funded in schools, colleges and universities across Scotland. Ever since 2017, up to £27 million were spent to provide access in public settings.

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Paola Health Centre construction reaches advanced completion

Aug 14 2022

The Vincent Moran Regional Health Centre in Paola has officially reached an advanced stage of completion, with Project Manager Clint Borg explaining to TVM News on the work accomplished so far.

He revealed that the stage has been reached wherein construction is ready, including the concrete structure and the internal brickwork. Gypsum partitions are currently being mounted, with the external ramps completed and built over a once obstructing shelter.

All services are being installed and spread over six storeys. The building of the centre has taken into consideration environmental impact and it is expected that the lead certification will be awarded to verify that the design is sustainable and environmentally efficient.

Executive Head of the Medical Services Foundation (FSM) Carmen Ciantar, explained that this centre will offer a series of services, old and new.

It will be a one stop shop of services available at the Paola Health Centre as well as some which are only currently available at Mater Dei. These include ultrasounds, dental care as well as day operations which do not require hospital stays. Sexual health, mental health and nutrition will also be included in the centre’s portfolio.

The centre will also operate an emergency ambulance service for the southern parts of Malta and will have parking availably for 250 vehicles free of charge.

The project is the culmination of an investment of €40 million, 80% of which came from EU funds.

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Tom Holland returns from social media break to support mental health charities

Aug 14 2022

Fan favourite Spider-Man actor Tom Holland has been noticeably missing off social media lately, coming out with an explanation after a sudden hiatus.

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The Marvel star shared an early post on Sunday, captioned ‘Hello and goodbye’, revealing that he has had to step away from social media for the sake of his mental health.

He unpacked his decision, saying that he has lately been finding Instagram and Twitter to be over stimulating and overwhelming.

‘I get caught up and I spiral when I read things about me online and ultimately it’s very detrimental to my my mental state so I decided to take a step back and delete the app.’

His return to social media, however brief, was to inform followers about Stem 4, a charity he and his brothers sponsor at The Brothers Trust initiative.

He revealed that the reason they support the charity, which is clinically advised and contributes to helping young kids who are suffering, is because there is an awful stigma against mental health.

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‘I know that asking for help and seeking help isn’t something that we should be ashamed of, but it is something that is much easier said than done. So hopefully, these apps can be your first step towards being happier and healthier.’

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