14-20 March 2015
Saturday
Father figure
Mahatma Gandhi said he would like to live in two places: a free India and London. And now a 9ft statue of “Bapu”, the father of the world’s largest democracy, will live in London’s Parliament Square.
Sunday
A win-win situation
US teacher Nancie Atwell received the Varkey Gems Foundation Global Teacher Prize for her initiative to get children reading. She donated her $1 million (pound;677,000) award to her school.
Monday
The heart of the community
The genetic disorder known as Down’s syndrome affects one in every 1,000 babies. Today marks the start of Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week, which focuses on increasing community engagement.
Tuesday
Radical ideas
How should teachers tackle extremism in schools? The UK government’s response was unveiled in a report from the Commons Education Select Committee entitled Extremism in Schools: the Trojan Horse affair.
Wednesday
Reach for the sky
The Sky Academy Skills Studios, aimed at ages 8-18, opened in Livingston. Newsreader Kay Burley did the honours with help from Newbattle Community High School pupils, who will be among 12,000 anticipated users.
Thursday
Nice to meet you
Come and visit us at the Education Show this weekend. The Birmingham-based event, which kicked off on Thursday, showcases the very best in educational resources, along with workshops and seminars.
Friday
The world laughs with you
Don’t worry, be happy: it’s the International Day of Happiness, sanctioned by the United Nations. And if that news isn’t enough to put a smile on your face, today is also the first official day of spring!
21-27 March 2015
Saturday
Trying their luck
England, Ireland and Wales are all tied on six points as they race towards the finish of the Six Nations Championship. Scotland’s best hope, alas, is to avoid the wooden spoon.
Sunday
Trickle-down effect
Turn off the tap as you brush your teeth and take a shower, not a bath: it’s World Water Day. The event aims to raise awareness of the increase in demand for water access, allocation and services.
Monday
Gender agenda
Presiding officer Tricia Marwick will host “Inspiring Young Women” at the Scottish Parliament. Some 128 girls, from schools in every local authority, will get advice from MSPs on making the most of their talents.
Tuesday
End the epidemic
Today is World Tuberculosis Day. At its peak in 1882, the disease killed one in every seven humans, and it is still rife in developing countries where people have no access to antibiotics.
Wednesday
A positive ring
If you’re feeling low today, remember that on this date (albeit in fiction), one brave little hobbit was able to bring down Sauron. If Frodo Baggins can end an empire, you can certainly teach 30 grumpy students.
Thursday
Meeting of minds
The two-day North Lanarkshire Learning Festival begins in Motherwell, on the theme “inspiring creative learning”. Speakers include Graham Donaldson, he of the seminal Teaching Scotland’s Future report.
Friday
Steering clear
Some very fast cars will appear on the Sepang International Circuit for the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix. Last year Lewis Hamilton dominated the race, beating the next driver by 17.3 seconds.
