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Darjeeling schools and colleges closed from October 8 to 10 amid floods and landslides

All educational institutions in Darjeeling have been ordered to remain closed from October 8 to October 10, 2025, following severe rainfall and landslides that have caused widespread damage and disrupted connectivity across the region. The decision, issued by the city’s Education Department, affects government, private, missionary-run, and aided schools and colleges. Classes are expected to resume on October 13, 2025 (Monday).

Closure of schools and colleges for safety

In an official notification, the Education Department of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) stated that the closure includes primary schools, secondary schools, SSKs, MSKs, and both general and technical colleges. The decision was taken to ensure that students and teachers remain safe amid dangerous ground conditions caused by heavy rainfall earlier this week.

Impact of heavy rainfall and landslides

Darjeeling and surrounding areas, including Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, experienced heavy rainfall on October 4 and 5, 2025, which triggered multiple landslides. The deluge led to the collapse of two iron bridges, flooding of roads, and damage to several parts of the region, leaving many areas cut off from road connectivity.

Government response and relief measures

As reported by ANI, Chief Executive of the GTA, Anit Thapa, said, “Every area of the GTA has been cut off. There is no road connectivity. We are assessing the damage and compiling a report to submit to the government. We expect help from the authorities and are planning a temporary Bailey bridge.”West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighted the scale of the devastation on social media: “Two iron bridges have collapsed, several roads have been damaged and flooded, and huge tracts of land have been inundated.”Authorities are working to restore connectivity, repair damaged infrastructure, and provide relief to affected families. Residents have been advised to avoid travel until the situation stabilises and roads are safe.

Impact on students and academic activities

The closure of schools and colleges is a precautionary measure to protect students and staff. Teachers and educational institutions are expected to resume regular classes from October 13, once safety assessments are completed and transport connectivity is restored.The region’s recovery will depend on the speed of relief operations, infrastructure repair, and weather conditions in the coming days. Authorities are coordinating with state and central agencies to ensure that affected families receive aid promptly and that students can return to schools safely.

Trump’s funding cut shuts down Akron city’s college-prep program for over 1500 students

Akron Public Schools’ initiative to help low-income and first-generation students prepare for college has suffered a major setback after the U.S. Department of Education abruptly cut funding. The move impacts hundreds of students and staff and raises concerns over the future of college-readiness programs in Ohio.

Federal funding cut: $3.6 million slashed

The Department of Education canceled roughly $3.6 million of the $7 million promised over seven years for the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) grant. Akron was among five Ohio programs affected, including the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, and the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion component at the center of controversy

Yvonne Culver, director of school counseling and student wellness for Akron Public Schools, explained that the grant was cut because the district’s original application included diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which the federal agency had encouraged at the time. The district argued that Akron no longer maintains a DEI office or initiatives, but federal officials denied the appeal.

GEAR UP in Akron: Supporting students beyond the classroom

The AIM HIGH Akron GEAR UP program, launched in 2021, served around 1,500 middle and high school students. The program provided mentoring, college visits, summer enrichment programs, and cultural events aimed at exposing students to college and career readiness opportunities. Students at North High School created a video highlighting the skills and experiences gained through the program, hoping to influence federal decision-makers.

Staff reductions and reassignments

Following the funding cut on September 30, the Akron school board made immediate staff changes on October 6. Four student success coaches and the AIM HIGH Akron GEAR UP program manager were laid off. Some former GEAR UP staff, including Jazzmon Britton, were reassigned within the district using district funds or Title IV funding, which supports student achievement and well-being. Former student success coaches were also hired as substitute teachers and tutors.

Project GRAD Akron faces uncertainty

Project GRAD Akron, the lead partner on the GEAR UP program, could also face staff reductions. Despite the challenges, district officials are actively exploring alternative grants and creating an abbreviated program to continue offering some GEAR UP services to students.

Lawmakers call for reversal

Ohio lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Shontel Brown, Emilia Sykes, Marcy Kaptur, Joyce Beatty, and Greg Landsman, have jointly petitioned U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to reverse the cuts. They warned that the decision affects over 16,000 students across Ohio and represents more than $28 million in lost federal funding statewide.

Looking Ahead

The defunding of Akron’s GEAR UP program highlights the challenges that school districts face when federal funding priorities shift. For now, Akron Public Schools continues to explore ways to maintain college-readiness opportunities for its students through alternative funding and modified programs.

How Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill plans to mainstream Madrasas under the state board

The Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill, 2025 is being hailed as a historic step in mainstreaming minority education in India. Approved by the Governor of Uttarakhand, the legislation mandates that all madrasas and minority schools dissolve the existing Madrasa Board and affiliate with the Uttarakhand Board of School Education. This move integrates minority educational institutions into the state’s formal education framework, aligning them with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Background: The need for reform

For decades, many minority educational institutions in Uttarakhand operated under the state Madrasa Board, following separate curricula that differed from mainstream schools. While this allowed for the teaching of religious and cultural subjects, it also created gaps in standardisation, accountability, and quality of education.The government identified the need to bridge this divide, ensuring that children in minority schools receive equitable access to modern education while preserving the unique cultural and religious aspects of their learning.

What will change?

Abolition of the Madrasa Board: The bill dissolves the Madrasa Board, making Uttarakhand the first Indian state to formally integrate minority educational institutions under the mainstream school education system.Recognition by Minority Education Authority: All minority institutions, including madrasas, must now seek official recognition from the Uttarakhand Minority Education Authority. This ensures that schools meet minimum infrastructure, teacher qualification, and curriculum standards.Mandatory Affiliation with State Board: Recognised institutions will affiliate with the Uttarakhand Board of School Education, enabling students to appear for state-recognised examinations and ensuring smoother transitions to higher education.Implementation of Modern Curriculum: From the 2026-27 academic session, all minority schools must adopt the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and align with the NEP 2020 guidelines, which emphasise holistic, competency-based, and inclusive education.Focus on Equal Opportunities: The law ensures that children of all communities in Uttarakhand have equal access to quality education, bridging educational gaps and fostering social inclusion.

Expected impact on students and schools

The bill is expected to have a wide-ranging impact on minority education in Uttarakhand:

Challenges Ahead

While the bill promises modernisation, its implementation could face challenges:

The government has emphasised consultations and phased implementation to address these challenges and ensure a smooth transition.

A historic move towards inclusive education

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami hailed the bill as a significant move towards a uniform and modern education system in the state. He announced that from the 2026 academic session, all minority schools will adopt the NCF and NEP 2020, ensuring equal learning opportunities for every child, irrespective of community or class.With this legislation, Uttarakhand sets a precedent for other states, integrating minority institutions into mainstream education while preserving cultural identity.

3 Strategies to Close the Achievement Gap in American Education: Insights from Harvard Research (Image: Pexels)

The persistent achievement gap in American education is often attributed to factors like socioeconomic status, race and innate ability. However, recent research from Harvard University suggests that the gap is not an inevitable outcome but rather a consequence of systemic choices and missed opportunities. By implementing evidence-based strategies, schools can significantly improve educational outcomes for all students.

Broaden access to high-quality early childhood education

In Harvard Graduate School of Education‘s 2024 research on SAT/ACT test scores, Harvard economist David Deming emphasized the critical importance of early childhood education in levelling the academic playing field. His research indicated that disparities in health and cognitive development begin before kindergarten, particularly among children from low-income families. Deming advocates for universal access to high-quality preschool programs to ensure that all children start their educational journey on equal footing.

Sustain and increase funding for public schools

Deming also highlighted the necessity of sustained investment in public education. He argued that one-time federal funding boosts, such as those provided during the Covid-19 pandemic, are less effective than consistent, long-term financial support. Regular, increased funding allows schools to reduce class sizes, attract and retain qualified teachers, and provide essential resources, all of which contribute to closing achievement gaps.

Implement citywide, collaborative education reform

The Education Redesign Lab at Harvard Graduate School of Education conducted a study in 2018, How Cities Can Act to Close the Achievement Gap, involving six US cities of Louisville, Kentucky; Oakland, California; Providence, Rhode Island and several Massachusetts cities. The initiative, known as “By All Means”, aimed to address educational disparities through coordinated efforts across schools, local governments and community organizations. The findings suggested that comprehensive, citywide strategies that align resources and policies can effectively reduce achievement gaps by addressing the multifaceted challenges students face.The research underscores that the achievement gap in American education is not a predetermined outcome but a challenge that can be overcome with deliberate and evidence-based strategies. By expanding access to quality early education, ensuring sustained funding for public schools and fostering collaborative and citywide reform efforts, schools can create an environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed. Implementing these strategies can lead to measurable improvements in educational equity and outcomes.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is expected to announce the Chartered Accountancy (CA) September 2025 examination results in the first week of November, according to updates from members of the chartered accountancy community. Although the institute has not yet confirmed an official date, reports suggest that the CA results may be declared on November 6, 2025.

Where to check CA September 2025 results

Once released, candidates who appeared for the CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final examinations conducted in September 2025 will be able to access their results on the official ICAI website: icai.org. To download the ICAI CA September 2025 result, students will need to log in using their registration number and roll number.Along with the scorecards, ICAI is also expected to publish the list of toppers and overall pass percentage for each level.

How to check ICAI CA September 2025 results online

Once the results are declared, candidates can follow these steps to download their scorecards:

ICAI CA September 2025: Exam overview

The CA Foundation examinations for the September 2025 session were held on September 16, 18, 20, and 22, while the CA Intermediate exams were conducted from September 4 to 15. The CA Final exams took place between September 3 and 14, 2025.The institute had earlier rescheduled the CA Intermediate and Final examinations for September 24 and 25 in select centres of Jammu and Punjab after heavy rainfall caused flood-like conditions. ICAI also postponed examinations in Kathmandu, Nepal, due to widespread student protests linked to social media restrictions.

Passing criteria for CA exams

As per ICAI’s evaluation policy, candidates must score a minimum of 40% in each paper and achieve an aggregate of 55% in the Foundation level and 50% overall in the Intermediate level to qualify.Students are advised to keep checking the official ICAI website for the latest updates on the CA September 2025 result date and official notifications.

Schools and colleges across several states, including Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, are closed today, October 7, 2025, to mark Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, observed as the birth anniversary of the sage credited with composing the Ramayana. The day is a gazetted holiday in many states and union territories.In Delhi, the Directorate of Education (DoE) had earlier listed the day as a public holiday in its annual calendar. All government schools and offices are closed on Tuesday as per the schedule.In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a statewide public holiday to observe the occasion. “A public holiday will be observed in the state on October 7, the birth anniversary of Lord Valmiki. An uninterrupted recitation of the Ramayana will be organised in every temple,” the Chief Minister said in an official statement.

Significance of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti commemorates the birth of Maharishi Valmiki, regarded as the first poet in Sanskrit literature and the author of the Ramayana. According to Hindu belief, Valmiki was born to Varuna, the ninth son of Maharishi Kashyap and Aditi, and his wife Charshani. The day is marked with processions, Ramayana recitations, and cultural programmes in temples and institutions across several states.

Weather-related school closures in Jammu and Kashmir

In Jammu and Kashmir, schools will remain closed on October 6 and 7, though not in connection with Valmiki Jayanti. The administration ordered a two-day closure for government and private schools due to heavy rainfall and poor weather conditions. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious as adverse weather continues to affect normal activities in the region.Check the official notice here.

Precautionary advisory in Tamil Nadu

Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, schools reopened on Monday after the quarterly examination break. The state government has advised school managements to take precautionary measures for student safety during the monsoon period.With the combination of Valmiki Jayanti observance and weather-related disruptions in some northern states, several regions across India are witnessing an extended break for students this week.