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The Al Nazha factory of Malabar Gold & Diamonds (MGD) in Qatar has been honoured with the QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety & Environment) Excellence Award 2023 by Manateq, the main developer and operator for the industrial zones, logistics, and warehousing parks in the country. The award was presented to Santhosh T V, regional head of Malabar Gold & Diamonds in Qatar, by Engineer Mohammed al-Emadi, CEO of Manateq Economic Zone, at a ceremony held at the Century Marina Hotel in Lusail. Also present at the event were Niyas A M, production manager at Al Nazha Factory, and other officials from Manateq. Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the world’s sixth-largest jewellery retailer with over 370 showrooms across 13 countries, has gained international acclaim for its exceptional craftsmanship, quality, and commitment to excellence. The brand operates 16 state-of-the-art manufacturing units in Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, India, and Bangladesh, equipped with advanced technology for jewellery production, design studios, development centres, and a dedicated R&D facility. Speaking on the occasion, Santhosh T V said: “Winning the QHSE Excellence Award by Manateq is a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. At Malabar Gold & Diamonds, we have always prioritised maintaining world-class standards in our products and fostering a safe, healthy, and sustainable work environment for our artisans. This recognition reinforces our dedication to excellence and inspires us to continually raise the bar in the global jewellery industry.” As a socially responsible jewellery brand, Malabar Gold & Diamonds ensures that all its manufacturing facilities operate with 100% compliance with environmental regulations and uphold rigorous sustainability practices. The brand is committed to sourcing raw materials ethically, adhering to international standards set by organisations, such as the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and the World Gold Council. Malabar Gold & Diamonds was established in 1993 and is the flagship company of Malabar Group, a leading diversified Indian business conglomerate. With an annual turnover of $6.2bn, the company currently ranks as the sixth largest jewellery retailer globally and has a strong retail network of over 370 showrooms spread across 13 countries in addition to multiple offices, design centres, wholesale units, and factories spread across India, the Middle East, Far East, the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. The group, owned by more than 4,000 shareholders, has more than 22,000 professionals from over 26 countries working towards its continued success. Malabar Gold & Diamonds also features an online store www.malabargoldanddiamonds.com providing customers the opportunity to purchase their favorite jewellery at any time and on any day from the comfort of their homes. ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) has been the primary commitment of the group since its inception. The key ESG focus areas of Malabar Group are health, housing, hunger-free world, education, environment and women empowerment. Integrating the principles of responsibility and sustainability into its core business, Malabar Group periodically strengthens its ESG goals to remain a socially conscious and responsible organisation. The group contributes 5% of its profit to such initiatives in the same country of operation. Related Story MGD ramps up festive season offers Anil Kapoor launches MGD festive offers
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UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in shares of Belden Inc. ( NYSE:BDC – Free Report ) by 0.7% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 101,180 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 674 shares during the quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC’s holdings in Belden were worth $11,851,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. FMR LLC increased its position in Belden by 14.8% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 4,486,337 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $525,485,000 after acquiring an additional 576,768 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its position in shares of Belden by 15.8% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 313,063 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $29,365,000 after purchasing an additional 42,600 shares during the last quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama lifted its position in shares of Belden by 2.1% during the second quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 249,573 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $23,410,000 after purchasing an additional 5,209 shares during the last quarter. Waters Parkerson & CO. LLC lifted its position in shares of Belden by 2.2% during the second quarter. Waters Parkerson & CO. LLC now owns 214,322 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $20,103,000 after purchasing an additional 4,636 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado lifted its position in shares of Belden by 60.7% during the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 167,430 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $15,705,000 after purchasing an additional 63,216 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.75% of the company’s stock. Belden Price Performance BDC opened at $122.39 on Friday. Belden Inc. has a 12-month low of $69.33 and a 12-month high of $131.82. The company has a current ratio of 2.07, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $120.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $106.09. The company has a market capitalization of $4.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.46 and a beta of 1.08. Belden Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 12th will be given a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.16%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 12th. Belden’s payout ratio is 4.65%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In BDC has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Belden from $124.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Benchmark lifted their target price on Belden from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $122.75. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on BDC Insider Transactions at Belden In other news, CAO Doug Zink sold 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.82, for a total value of $386,460.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 6,643 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $855,751.26. The trade was a 31.11 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Corporate insiders own 1.59% of the company’s stock. About Belden ( Free Report ) Belden Inc designs, manufactures, and markets a portfolio of signal transmission solutions for mission critical applications in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates in two segments, Enterprise Solutions and Industrial Automation Solutions. The Enterprise Solutions segment offers copper cable and connectivity solutions, fiber cable and connectivity solutions, interconnect panels, racks and enclosures, and signal extension and matrix switching systems for use in applications, such as local area networks, data centers, access control, 5G, fiber to the home, and building automation. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BDC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Belden Inc. ( NYSE:BDC – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Belden Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Belden and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
For Lincoln mother Sierra Shouse, there was no other option but to send her oldest son Sammy to Christ Lincoln Schools for kindergarten, even if it was a financial burden. Shouse went to school there herself, and Sammy was enrolled in the school's day care program at age 4, helping him build friendships and familiarity with the school staff. "It's the only school he's ever known," Shouse said. Shouse was aided in paying for the private school through an opportunity scholarship provided by LB1402, which passed the Legislature earlier this year, appropriating $10 million per year for scholarships to private schools. Shouse said she intends to keep Sammy enrolled at Christ Lincoln no matter what, but after LB1402's program was repealed through a voter referendum, the future of her two younger children is still up in the air. People are also reading... Rest assured, Nebraska volleyball fans: The missing fan behind the servers will be back Saturday Matt Rhule reacts to no-call at end of Nebraska-USC game: "I don’t know what else to say" Arrest made in 55-year-old cold case of Nebraska teen stabbed to death 'Bocephus' is back: Hank Williams Jr. to play Lincoln arena Friday Nebraska's home game against Wisconsin gets time, TV designation Kidnapping in Nebraska prompted police chase that ended with 3 dead in Missouri Signing Day: Meet Nebraska volleyball's five-player 2025 class Wind-aided fire destroys vacant Village Inn in Lincoln As Nebraska's Democratic Party shrinks, some former party officials call for change Mountain lion spotted on trail camera east of Bennet, Sheriff's Office says Amie Just: Ahead of milestone birthday, local sports figures give advice on turning 30 UNO freezes funds for LGBTQ+, multicultural, other student groups after audit Sound waves: What others are saying about Nebraska's win against Wisconsin Amie Just: Bring out the tissues — and the brooms — for Nebraska volleyball's emotional win Blunt as ever, Dana Holgorsen unpacks Nebraska role, struggling run game There are plenty of unanswered questions left in the wake of the referendum's success, which passed comfortably in Nebraska's general election by just more than 14 percentage points. Supporters of LB1402 in the Nebraska Legislature are working out the best way to approach "school choice" policies, while families who benefited from the scholarships are left in a state of limbo, unsure if they will continue seeing the same support. Meanwhile, a Nebraska Supreme Court ruling from September could affect future moves to provide public money for private school students. How did Nebraska get here? For the past eight years, state Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area has championed "school choice" legislation. Most of her proposals came up short, until LB753 passed in 2023, allocating $25 million annually in tax credits for private donations to the private school scholarship funds. That bill also faced a repeal through a voter referendum, led by Support Our Schools Nebraska. Opponents to LB753 and LB1402 argued the bills would deplete state funding available for public schools, which could lead to budget cuts and property tax increases. The first Support Our Schools referendum qualified for the ballot, but to get around the referendum, Linehan introduced LB1402 in 2024, which repealed LB753 upon its passage. Linehan acknowledged LB1402 was an " end run " bill intended to circumvent the referendum. In response, Support Our Schools launched a new ballot initiative campaign to partially repeal LB1402, getting rid of the underlying program, but retaining the LB753 repeal. Once again, supporters gathered enough signatures in their petition drive to qualify for the ballot. The second referendum faced attempts to remove it from the ballot, several of which came directly from Linehan. It also survived a challenge in the Nebraska Supreme Court in September, and Support Our Schools leader Tim Royers said he expected more opposition in the months leading up to November. Linehan, who did host one news conference days before the election to combat a Support Our Schools ad, said the reason she didn't try harder to oppose the referendum was simply because she felt it didn't make sense to sink a ton of funds to protect a program that only appropriated $10 million each year. "We're not going to spend $10 million to save $10 million," Linehan said. Royers noted, however, that in 2023, Keep Kids First, a group with which Linehan was affiliated, raised more than $1.4 million to oppose the first Support Our Schools referendum. Support Our Schools raised about $1.7 million that year, and raised an additional $4.6 million so far this year. What's next for Nebraska 'school choice'? The landscape for "school choice" policy is sure to look different in the 2025 session, if only because Linehan is term-limited and will not be returning. Royers said he can't imagine another lawmaker emerging with the same level of commitment Linehan brought. But Linehan says she's not worried. She said there's "more than a handful" of current senators willing to take up the mantle, and she was also optimistic about several incoming lawmakers who will be starting their first terms next year. She mentioned Omaha Sens. Brad Von Gillern and Christy Armendariz, both of whom told the Omaha World-Herald they were interested in school choice policy, though neither confirmed that they were planning any bills for next session. Possibly the biggest hurdle for "school choice" advocates next year comes from the Nebraska Supreme Court ruling that allowed this year's referendum to stay on the ballot. Plaintiffs argued the measure didn't qualify for the ballot because it violated a provision of the Nebraska Constitution that prohibits voter referendums from affecting direct appropriations. But the high court ruled that since the ballot initiative only sought to repeal a section of LB1402 that didn't include an appropriation, it could be subject to a referendum. The ruling noted that LB1402 had a separate appropriation bill that accompanied it. Linehan said the ruling threatened any and all legislation that came with appropriations, and it could lead to the "death of the A bill," using the legislative shorthand for an appropriations bill. Neither Von Gillern nor Armendariz gave specifics on how lawmakers could approach school choice legislation that would be shielded from a referendum in the wake of the ruling. Linehan argued that appropriation bills aren't even necessary for legislation that allocates funds, describing them as more of a "counting mechanism" than anything else. But Fiscal Analyst Scott Danigole said appropriation bills are necessary for most measures that appropriate state funds, with the only exception he could think of being a bill that shifted funding that had already been appropriated. While it is theoretically possible for lawmakers to do away with appropriation bills, it would require them to get creative, and would likely bring a lot of ripple effects. Although Royers said he would be shocked if no "school choice" policies are introduced in 2025, he believes the overall appetite to debate the issue has lessened in the aftermath of the referendum. Like Linehan, Royers also found encouragement in the the outcome of several legislative races. He said the Legislature will become more "public school friendly" than it was in 2024. "I think everybody is trying to take a break from the 'school choice' fight," he said. Royers said the primary concern for lawmakers should be addressing the educator shortage in Nebraska, which leads to issues like larger class sizes that can affect academic performance. Royers said special education teacher vacancies were 10 times higher last school year than they were in 2013, citing data from the state Department of Education, and Nebraska's colleges aren't producing enough new teachers to fill the gap. What will happen with schools, students who benefited from the program? Meanwhile, the people directly involved in LB1402's program are also trying to figure out their next steps. Jeremy Ekeler, the executive director of Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, said the organization is currently tying up loose ends, and trying to see if it can continue on as an organization that operates based on private donations. OSN worked with Odyssey, a national technology vendor that works with five other states to implement similar programs. OSN provided Odyssey with local information, while Odyssey ran the technology that processed the applications and distributed the scholarships directly to eligible schools based on LB1402's guidelines. According to Ekeler, between LB753 and LB1402, roughly 5,500 scholarships were issued, averaging about $2,300 per student. For LB1402's program, about $9.2 million overall was distributed in scholarships. Those scholarships are still good through the end of this academic year, but they will not continue into the 2025-26 school year. That will make the budget tighter for Omaha Street School, where Principal Anthony Williams said 12 of the school's 35 students received scholarships this year through LB1402. The average cost to educate each student is roughly $23,000 per year, Williams said. All of their families use some form of financial aid, and Williams said the school tailors its tuition to the financial needs of each family, ranging from $30 to $550 per month. Without outside support, he said the school has to eat the remaining costs. "Sometimes, we got to pinch pennies," Williams said. Williams said LB1402's program expiring will not mean any of the current students will not be able to continue learning at the school. In fact, he said the school may be able to stretch the scholarship funds through the following school year. Shouse said she intends to keep Sammy enrolled at Christ Lincoln, but she is not sure about her younger two children, which she said is a "heartbreaking" dilemma. Her younger children, 3 and 1, respectively, are already enrolled in Christ Lincoln's daycare and pre-school programs. Shouse is a single mother, and provides the sole income for her family. During Sammy's first year of kindergarten, he did not have a scholarship, which Shouse said placed a heavy financial burden on her. That took the form of multiple small sacrifices, from having breakfast for dinner because it was cheaper, to telling Sammy he couldn't attend a friend's birthday party because she couldn't afford to buy a present. "There was a lot of tears," Shouse said. "There's always been a lot of tears." There are several reasons why Shouse hasn't considered public school an option for any of her children. Primarily, she said Christ Lincoln best aligns with her family values. She's also concerned that the larger class sizes would mean her children wouldn't get the individualized care they need. Two of her children, including Sammy, have IEPs. When it was first recommended to Shouse that Sammy repeat kindergarten based on his speech therapy needs and emerging academic concerns, she said she sought out summer school options for him through Lincoln Public Schools, but was denied because his needs weren't severe enough. She said LPS officials told her there was no reason to delay his advancement to first grade, which she said exemplified that they were not properly attuned to her son's needs. "It's not a school board's decision what's best for my child," Shouse said.
NoneKFH Drives Innovation in Digital Banking and Financial Solutions for 2024
This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that we need the leadership of persons with disabilities more than ever. Persons with disabilities already disproportionately bear the brunt of the crises scarring our world — from conflicts and climate disasters, to poverty and inequalities — because of persistent discrimination, stigma, and barriers to basic rights and services. But they are also often denied their right to contribute to solutions to these crises. Through the recently adopted Pact for the Future, the countries of the world committed to correcting this injustice for persons with disabilities of all ages, for present and future generations. This includes recognizing the essential role of persons with disabilities in shaping the future of digital and assistive technologies — such as those powered by artificial intelligence — driving change across communities, and advocating for their rightful place in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Next year’s World Summit for Social Development will be a key moment to carry these and other commitments forward. In every community, persons with disabilities are changemakers and peacemakers. They are also leaders. On this important day, and every day, let’s work with persons with disabilities to achieve an inclusive and sustainable future for all people. q q q Ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is achievable. But reaching this goal requires breaking down the barriers keeping people from vital services. Every 25 seconds, someone in the world is infected with HIV. One-quarter of people living with HIV — more than nine million people — lack access to lifesaving treatment. Discriminatory laws, policies and practices punish and stigmatize vulnerable people — especially women, girls and minorities — preventing their access to proven preventions, testing, treatment and care. This year’s World AIDS Day reminds us the fight against AIDS can be won if leaders take a rights-based approach to ensure that everyone — especially the most vulnerable — can get the services they need without fear. The inspirational advances made in the global HIV response have been powered by global solidarity and human rights. We will overcome AIDS if the rights of everyone, everywhere, are protected. I call on all leaders to heed this year’s theme and take the “rights” path. (United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ message on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2024, and on World AIDS Day on 1 December 2024.)Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour, has announced a significant investment of EGP 10bn to upgrade the digital infrastructure of public universities. Among the groundbreaking initiatives is the launch of Egypt’s first generative AI integration pilot at Ain Shams University, developed in collaboration with Microsoft. This pilot program is designed to enhance students’ market-relevant skills by integrating AI tools into course curricula, with plans to expand the initiative to other academic disciplines across Egyptian universities. Minister Ashour emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to leveraging technology to transform education, improve content delivery, and boost student engagement. Central to these efforts is the “Digital Transformation and Future Vision” initiative, part of the Ministry’s broader strategy for 2024. This strategy aligns with the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research, built on seven key principles: integration, interdisciplinary collaboration, connectivity, active participation, sustainability, international benchmarking, and fostering leadership and innovation. These efforts aim to build a robust digital foundation, equip graduates with future-ready skills, and develop modernized, efficient institutions. The year 2024 has been a pivotal one for digital transformation in higher education, highlighted by the Ministry’s active participation in the Cairo ICT 2024 Exhibition and Conference for the Middle East and Africa. The Ministry has focused on embedding artificial intelligence and digital tools across the higher education ecosystem, supporting initiatives such as smart campuses, electronic exams, digital platforms, and updated learning management systems. A joint study conducted by UNESCO and UNICEF praised the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB), a national digital learning platform, for its contributions to lifelong learning and innovation. The EKB has become a comprehensive educational resource, offering extensive content for learners, educators, and institutions, along with capacity-building programs to maximize its use. It is recognized as a cornerstone of Egypt’s knowledge-driven society, expanding access to education and fostering a culture of innovation. Another milestone for the sector was the digitization of university aptitude tests, conducted under the e-Government system. The Supreme Council of Universities introduced an enhanced admissions platform, enabling high school graduates to register and pay test fees online, ensuring convenience, security, and confidentiality. Sherif Keshk, Assistant Minister for Smart Governance, detailed efforts to integrate advanced technologies into academic and administrative functions. Over 800 faculty members have been trained in cutting-edge technologies, including cloud computing, data analytics, and AI, while 70 IT staff from various universities have received advanced cloud training. A new cohort of faculty training programs, in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), is underway, and 500 administrative staff have completed the first phase of a digital safety initiative in collaboration with the National Telecom Regulatory Authority and regional tech firms. To prepare students for emerging job markets, particularly in AI and data science, the Ministry has organized workshops with leading tech companies. These sessions equip students with the skills required to excel in the future workforce. Keshk stressed the importance of utilizing technologies like AI and cloud computing to modernize educational processes, enhance infrastructure, and build a generation of innovators aligned with global trends and Egypt’s Vision 2030 development goals. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry’s Media Advisor and Official Spokesperson, reiterated that digital transformation remains a cornerstone of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research. Significant progress in 2024 underscores the Ministry’s dedication to achieving full digital integration, with advancements expected to bolster the global competitiveness of Egypt’s higher education and research institutions.
Aleema says Imran prefers jail over house arrest Imran Khan warns that any instability on borders would directly impact Pakistan’s peace This combo of images shows, PTI Founder Imran Khan (left) and his sister Aleema Khan (right). — AFP/File ISLAMABAD: Aleema Khan, the sister of PTI founder and chairman Imran Khan, said on Thursday her brother has stated that while the authorities may keep him in jail, he will not accept being placed under house arrest. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); Speaking to the media outside the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, she said the party leader had called on overseas Pakistanis on December 22 to stop sending remittances to Pakistan. He argued that only Pakistanis living abroad who send remittances are being targeted and mistreated. Aleema Khan said that Imran Khan has offered to withdraw his call for civil disobedience if the government agrees to meet his two demands. She explained that the first demand is the formation of a commission to investigate the incidents of November 26 and May 9, while the second demand is the release of political prisoners who have been detained unlawfully. She also quoted Imran Khan as saying that he is prepared to remain in jail but insists on having all cases against him decided on merit, reiterating his refusal to accept house arrest. According to Aleema, her brother emphasized the critical importance of peace in Pakistan is linked to Afghanistan. He warned that any instability on the borders would directly impact Pakistan’s peace. Imran Khan, she said, also noted that the country’s economy would continue to suffer unless there is economic stability and peace. He stressed the need for institutions to focus on their constitutional roles rather than engaging in politics, asking, “If our institutions continue to meddle in politics, who will protect our borders?”Billionaire Dan S. Loeb is the founder of Third Point and is renowned for his bold activist strategies that challenge the status quo and drive transformation in global companies . In the fourth quarter of 2024, renowned hedge fund manager Loeb significantly increased stakes in several companies, including more than doubling Third Point’s holdings in Intercontinental Exchange Inc. ICE and CRH PLC CRH , according to quarterly 13F filings. ICE : Intercontinental Exchange operates exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange, and clearing houses that enable investment, capital raising, and risk management across various asset classes. Read: ICE’s Resilient Business Model and Technological Advancements Drive an Outperform Rating – Here’s Why Loeb added 1.08 million shares in the third quarter at an average price of $148.77, bringing the total to 2.08 million shares. This represents a 108.5% increase in share count from Q2, with a total portfolio value of $334.93 million. Third Point revealed its stake in a 13F filing in November. The stock has declined about 5.7% in the last month. Meanwhile, the capital market sector, as measured by the SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF KCE , has declined roughly by 4.29% in the last month. In the third quarter, the company’s adjusted EPS of $1.55 was in line with the consensus expectations, while sales of $2.349 billion were slightly below the $2.354 billion estimate . Also Read: Big Changes At Building Products Company CRH: CEO Albert Manifold Set To Retire, CFO Jim Mintern Gears Up To Lead In 2025 CRH : The company provides building materials solutions and has leadership positions in both North America and Europe. Loeb added 1.40 million shares at an average price of $83.86 in the third quarter, raising the total count to 2.05 million shares. This marks a 215.38% increase in share count, with a total value of $190.12 million. CRH shares have dipped around 7.8% compared to First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF ‘s AIRR decline of 7.9% in the past month. The company’s third-quarter results missed analyst consensus, with adjusted EPS of $1.97 coming below the consensus of $2.09 and sales of $10.515 billion falling short of the street view of $10.56 billion . Read Next : Bitcoin Investors Should Be Optimistic Ahead Of 2025: Here’s Why Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney. This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schooling on a global scale, challenging teachers with a flood of unmanageable demands. These demands have persisted, resulting in an echo-pandemic of educator absences and attrition — educators leaving their jobs — that threatens the health of schools. We wrote about ways to support teachers during the pandemic based on our 2020 national survey of more than 1,300 Canadian teachers. Since then, we have followed more that 7,000 educators in their navigation and coping efforts during and after the pandemic. From these findings, we published more than 25 research articles , including 13 peer-reviewed articles, plus 12 articles for educators’ journals, reports to government and to the Canadian Mental Health Association, and one podcast. Since the pandemic, we’ve seen notable and important conversations about educators’ burnout and self-care in media and academic publications. An upside to this is increased awareness in the education sector around mental health needs and the importance of resources for both students and employees. A downside is these conversations reflect education systems that are out of balance in terms of resources and needs . In the United States, the National Center for Education Statistics reported a rise in teacher absenteeism after the pandemic . In Canada, research based on data collected from educators in Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador from September 2022 to August 2023 found “ a significant association between sick days and the prevalence and severity of high stress, low resilience, burnout, anxiety, and depression among educators .” This study, by psychiatry researcher Belinda Agyapong and colleagues, also noted “short-term sick leave can escalate into long-term absences without adequate support for teachers.” Rampant absenteeism has severe financial costs. In 2023, the cost of educator absences was $213 million in the Toronto District School Board alone . There are academic and social-emotional costs to students when their schooling is disrupted by educators’ frequent absences. Schools across Ontario face shortages of administrators, teachers, educational assistants and office staff on a daily basis. So, why is this happening? An important step in solving a problem is defining its nature. A framework called the job demands-resources model , developed by psychologists from the Netherlands, provides a useful lens for understanding why educators are missing so much time at work. It posits how personal and job characteristics foster employee well-being, suggesting workplaces can be understood as a teeter-totter with demands on one end and resources on the other. When employees have enough resources to meet demands, the system is in balance. Its workers function well, and the organization’s goals are more likely to be met. It is expected that resources in schools are supplied by employers, such as reasonable class sizes, adequate prep time and supports to meet complex student needs. It is important to note that resources are also supplied by employees, such as self-care practices and job skills. Educators, administrators in charge of available resources and provincial policymakers in charge of overall funding to education must work together to achieve and maintain the balance between demands and resources. So how have the demands experienced by educators changed since 2020? Our most recent research , a survey of 243 educators, showed 60 per cent of survey respondents have experienced large increases in students’ academic, social and behavioural needs. Survey data were collected in Manitoba during the first four months of 2024 at voluntary, school-based workshops provided by a national health organization. Alarmingly, over 30 per cent of respondents said they are rarely or never able to meet all these needs with their current resources. Within education systems across the country , the demands are of greater number and intensity than prior to the pandemic without adequate resources to keep up . Increased student needs are not being met within the current education system, and teachers’ workload and work-life balance are suffering . UNESCO’s predicted 2030 global teacher shortage of 44 million teachers provides an impetus to solve this issue quickly. Although there are calls for higher salaries for teachers in some countries, Canadian teachers are paid well and some have received recent salary increases . However, salary raises alone do not make a job sustainable. A lack of resources and supports to foster student success has resulted in significant dissatisfaction not only for teachers, but also for others across educator roles. In 2024, among the Manitoba educators we surveyed , 29 per cent of teachers, 25 per cent of principals, 33 per cent of clinicians and 20 per cent of educational assistants reported looking for new jobs in the past few months. The collective research indicates a system in crisis . So how can we remedy the situation to bring back not only the effectiveness of our educational settings but also the joy of schooling? Recognition of the current imbalance has resulted in some “bright lights” that show the way for other school systems to curb educator absences and attrition. Examples include: These initiatives suggest some governments and policymakers are aware of the imbalances and are working to address them. Importantly, attention to the needs of education sector employees beyond teachers like educational assistants, principals and clinicians (for example, psychologists) is necessary to re-establish balance. When educators are properly resourced to do their jobs and are allowed to see the results in positive learning and growth of their students, they will be more inclined to be at work. If, in time, the education system is adequately and proactively resourced to meet the demands, schools can become better places to work and learn. Reduced educator attrition and absences will be good indicators of a system regaining its balance. Laura Sokal has received funding from SSHRC and the Canadian Mental Health Association. Lesley Eblie Trudel has received funding from SSHRC and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
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