THIS WEEK27 APRIL - 3 MAY 2013
SATURDAY
‘Reservoirs of disease’
A top UK doctor claimed that private schools could become “reservoirs of disease”, as many middle-class parents have not vaccinated their children against measles and overseas boarders further complicate the situation.
SUNDAY
Gap year
The Ark children’s charity, founded by Swiss financier Arpad Busson, cancelled its fundraising extravaganza in London, England, this year to take a “pause for breath”. In 10 years, the event has raised #163;180 million.
MONDAY
Preschool ‘emergency’
Preschool education in the US is in a “state of emergency”, a study found. The recession has led to the lowest level of funding per child in 10 years, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.
TUESDAY
Untangling the web
To celebrate 20 years of a free, open World Wide Web, scientists restored the first ever website. It’s no YouTube, but it is part of a project to preserve the history of the web. Find out more at info.cern.ch
WEDNESDAY
Workers walk out
It was International Workers’ Day, and Greek public service unions held general strikes and protests against austerity measures. UK Department for Education staff staged a walkout over redundancies.
THURSDAY
To err is human
The Idler magazine’s first Bad Grammar Awards took place in London. Judges dished out prizes for the worst grammatical slips. Restaurant critic A.A. Gill, who is dyslexic, even nominated himself.
FRIDAY
Hard-pressed
As authoritarian states such as China become more powerful, World Press Freedom Day should make a great lesson topic. The day celebrates media independence and puts pressure on countries to stop censorship.
NEXT WEEK
4-10 MAY 2013
SATURDAY
Going au naturel
Watch what you’re doing with those hedge clippers. The annual World Naked Gardening Day takes place today and gardeners are encouraged to cast off their corduroy and get back to nature.
SUNDAY
All that jazz
The last day of the world-famous New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in the US. Enjoy the reedy toots of the clarinet and the sexy sounds of the muted trumpet in the Big Easy.
MONDAY
Blowing out the candles
Happy birthday Mr Former UK Prime Minister: Tony Blair will celebrate his 60th birthday, no doubt with a large cake. And film star George “Swoony” Clooney (pictured) will reach the grand old age of 52.
TUESDAY
Mamma mia!
Time to plan an exciting music trip: a new museum dedicated to Swedish pop group Abba will open on the island of Djurgarden, Stockholm. It explores the band’s tight-trousered career from 1970 to 1983.
WEDNESDAY
Got the stomach for it?
Still in Sweden, it’s the annual Stockholm Belly Dance Festival. Try basing a physical education lesson on the intricacies of Egyptian, Turkish and other styles. What do you mean you’re too old to give it a go?
THURSDAY
Talking shop
Luminaries of UK education will gather at one of the country’s top private schools today. The Brighton College Education Conference is a big date in schools’ calendars and always triggers debate.
FRIDAY
Liberte, egalite, fraternite
The process of abolishing slavery in France began in 1794 and was finally completed in 1848. Today, the country will hold its annual national day of remembrance of the slave trade, slavery and its abolition.
