Teachers

French public sector workers are preparing for a nationwide strike on Tuesday, September 29, with teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters and public transport staff expected to take part. In Paris, a demonstration is set to march from Place de la République to Place de la Nation via Bastille. The RATP transport network is among the services affected, and travellers are being warned of likely disruptions.

Iranian children are returning to school while the country remains under the shadow of war. The start of the academic year comes against the backdrop of ongoing regional conflict, raising questions about how students, families and teachers are coping with the situation and what conditions await pupils in classrooms this year.

A Harvard study has concluded that an AI tutor outperformed traditional in-class physics teaching. The findings suggest students using the AI tutor achieved better learning outcomes than those in conventional classroom settings. The result is drawing attention as educators debate the role of artificial intelligence in higher education and whether such tools should be adopted more widely in science courses.

At the German School Award ceremony, Chancellor Friedrich Merz described teachers as the most important professional group in the country, while conceding he rarely had 'much desire' to go to school himself. The remarks came as the award highlighted excellence in German schools, drawing attention to the profession's status amid ongoing debates over teacher shortages and working conditions.

An Arizona congresswoman has introduced three bills to fund literacy classes, dual language programs and training for teachers of students learning English. The legislation aims to fix gaps in English learner education identified by reporting from Arizona Luminaria and ProPublica, which documented shortfalls in how the state serves these students.

Teachers unions in California are campaigning to renew a state tax that generates billions of dollars annually for public education. The pitch comes as the tax faces an expiration deadline, with unions arguing the revenue is essential to maintaining school funding levels across the state. The debate over extension is expected to feature prominently in upcoming legislative and budget discussions.

School systems around the world are taking sharply different approaches to artificial intelligence in education. In New York, mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has voiced support for vetoing AI use in schools, while Estonia is embracing the technology with enthusiasm in its classrooms. The contrast highlights how governments are struggling to set common rules on AI for students and teachers.

Mexico is preparing to announce new findings in the investigation into the 2014 disappearance of 43 students from the Ayotzinapa rural teachers' college in Iguala, Guerrero. The case remains one of the country's most notorious human rights scandals, and families of the victims have long demanded accountability. Any new revelations are expected to draw close scrutiny from victims' relatives, rights groups and the public.

More school districts are moving to four-day school weeks, a trend drawing attention from parents and educators. Supporters point to savings on costs and potential benefits for teacher recruitment and retention, while parents weigh challenges like arranging childcare on the fifth day and concerns about lost instructional time. The shift is prompting families to ask how their schools' calendars, schedules and learning expectations could change.

BBC Newsround is asking its young audience whether they are doing anything to celebrate Harvest Festival 2026. The harvest festival, traditionally marked in UK schools and churches in autumn, is prompting classrooms and communities to plan celebrations. The feature invites children to share their plans, making it a talking point among families and teachers as the festival season approaches.

Commentary on artificial intelligence in education argues that AI itself will not disrupt schooling; the greater risk lies in failing to prepare teachers for it. The piece contends that schools should focus on training and supporting educators to use AI tools well, rather than treating the technology as an unavoidable threat to traditional teaching.

Maria De Filippi's talent show Amici is set for a significant overhaul ahead of its new season. According to Il Messaggero, the programme will introduce sporting disciplines among its categories, alongside changes to the panel of teachers and the casting process. The announcement has drawn attention in Italy as viewers await confirmation of the show's return date.

The Karnataka Education Department has published its schedule for the upcoming Dasara holidays, announcing when schools across the state will close for the festival. Parents, teachers and students in Karnataka are circulating the announcement as families plan travel and celebrations around the holiday dates released by the department.

Education experts are cautioning that students may be leaning too heavily on artificial intelligence tools, raising concerns about weakened critical thinking, reduced writing skills, and academic integrity. The warning, reported by Gulf Times, adds to a growing debate among teachers and researchers worldwide about how AI should be used in classrooms and how schools can balance its benefits with the risks to genuine learning.

Educators are arguing that in an era of instant answers from search engines and AI tools, children benefit from being allowed to grapple with problems before getting help. Supporters say productive struggle builds persistence, problem-solving skills and resilience, countering a culture of quick solutions. The argument has struck a chord with teachers and parents reconsidering how much help to give students.

Basic education students in several Mexican states, including Coahuila, will get an extended weekend after the SEP scheduled a school suspension linked to the monthly Consejo Técnico Escolar meeting. Classes for preschool, primary and secondary students are paused tomorrow while teachers attend administrative sessions. Parents are checking the official school calendar to confirm whether their state is affected and planning childcare for the day off.

Yashar, who was born in Iran and once worked in intelligence before becoming a teacher, is entering politics with a run for a seat in Israel's Knesset. She is centring her campaign on an overhaul of the country's education system, arguing for reform from someone with firsthand classroom experience. The story is drawing attention as an unusual path from espionage and teaching to national politics.

Gretchen Givens Generett argues that artificial intelligence has a place in schools, but should not replace teachers or lead instruction. In a commentary for TribLIVE, she frames AI as a support tool rather than a substitute for human educators in the classroom. The piece adds to a wider debate over how far AI should reach into teaching.

Florida is holding a listening tour this week, giving residents a chance to weigh in on the state's newly drafted science education standards. The tour invites teachers, parents and community members to offer feedback before the standards are finalized, part of an ongoing public process over what students in Florida schools will be taught in science classes.

A new commentary argues that schools redesigning assignments to be 'AI-proof' are chasing the wrong goal. Rather than trying to outsmart chatbots, educators should rethink what and why students are assessed at all, the piece contends. It has struck a chord in ongoing debates among teachers and academics about how classrooms should adapt to generative AI tools.

School officials in Montclair have introduced new policies restricting the use of artificial intelligence and other technology in classrooms. The district is setting limits on how students and teachers may use AI tools for schoolwork, joining a broader national debate among educators over how to manage emerging technology in education.

Schools across California are starting the academic year under a new state law restricting student phone use on campus. Teachers and administrators are working out enforcement details, from storage rules to exceptions for emergencies. The change has drawn attention as parents and educators debate whether limiting phones will improve focus and reduce classroom distractions.

A middle school math teacher from the southern United States has introduced himself online, describing himself as someone who tinkers with computer problems, plays role-playing and board games, and enjoys British comedy panel shows. He says he has never quite fit in and considers himself an oddball all around.