AGP Executive Report

NEP Implementation Gaps: Five years after India’s NEP 2020, progress reports and audits say more than 26 states still miss foundational literacy and numeracy targets, with teacher shortages and underfunding leaving many children feeling NEP mostly “on paper.” E-Rickshaw “Kill Switch” Ban: India’s MeitY ordered Google and Apple to remove BAT-BMS and two related Chinese battery-management apps after viral claims they could remotely disable e-rickshaw batteries, raising safety and national-security alarms. Inclusive Skills Push: Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma launched India’s campaign for the 2027 International Abilympics in Finland, aiming for a large contingent and expanded vocational training for persons with disabilities. Weather Disruptions: Thane district and KDMC declared school and college closures for July 4 after IMD heavy-rain alerts, citing risks from waterlogging and transport disruption. AI Talent in Schools: The Philippines won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (APOAI 2026), with 129 students competing across 18 countries/territories. AI Regulation Signals: India’s government says discussions on a dedicated AI regulatory framework are underway, alongside tighter IT rules for AI-generated content and deepfakes.

Japan–India Security & Talent Links: PM Sanae Takaichi and Narendra Modi reaffirmed cooperation on security, economic security, energy and supply chains, with a push to promote talent development alongside rail and mobility ties. Japan Higher-Education Funding: Kyoto University is set to be certified as an International University for Research Excellence, with expected subsidies of about ¥20bn and a planned shift to larger field-based research units. Business-School Hiring Signals: A GMAC survey says AI skills are rising fast for B-school graduates, but employers still rank communication, problem-solving and adaptability as top differentiators. Korean-Language Education Abroad: Educators from 44 countries met in Seoul to expand Korean-language teaching overseas, highlighting long-term teacher contributions. India MBA Goes Dual-Brand: Gorakhpur University will launch Uttar Pradesh’s first dual MBA with Malaysia’s Lincoln University College, with students splitting the two-year program across both campuses. School Lunch Cost Pressure (Pacific): In New Zealand, principals warn the $3 school lunch model is forcing quality cuts and leaving nutrition shortfalls despite programme savings. School Violence Watch (Indonesia): A 16-year-old’s alleged bullying death in East Java has renewed scrutiny of efforts to curb school violence. China Library Hygiene Tech: Chinese libraries are installing UV book sanitisers, aiming to reduce germs on borrowed materials. Philippines AI Olympiad Breakthrough: The Philippines won medals at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence, marking a strong debut.

Higher Education Governance: Turkey’s Istanbul Bilgi University was ordered closed via a presidential decree, with critics saying the move bypassed warnings despite recent quality accreditation. Language & Identity Policy: China’s new “ethnic unity” law takes effect, expanding Mandarin requirements in minority education and drawing backlash over forced assimilation, especially in Tibet and Xinjiang. International Education & Campus Models: Germany’s University of Münster prepares to open Europe’s first public, independent Faculty of Islamic Theology, a major shift for religious education in higher learning. School Safety & Attendance: In India’s Dakshina Kannada, heavy rain prompts a July 3 holiday for schools, PU colleges and anganwadis; separate reporting highlights how absenteeism and daily attendance support remain urgent in parts of India and beyond. Nutrition & Learning Support: India’s National Institute of Nutrition developed a schoolchildren diet diversity screening tool to flag micronutrient deficiency risk. India–Japan Education/Tech Links: Modi and Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi emphasized technology and AI cooperation, with education and research partnerships framed as key pillars. Local Education Funding: California’s Stockton-area Delta College broke ground on a Measure K project to cut energy costs—freeing funds for reinvestment in campus needs.

Higher Education Leadership: Chulalongkorn University president Wilert Puriwat was elected head of the Asian Universities Alliance for 2027–2029, spotlighting regional university governance and industry engagement. Student Pathways & Schooling: India’s Gorakhpur University approved UP’s first dual MBA with Malaysia’s Lincoln University College, while Andhra Pradesh’s Central University of Andhra Pradesh held its first convocation with a push for AI-linked, value-based learning under NEP 2020. TVET & Skills for Jobs: China transferred national occupational standards to Cambodia to modernise technical education, with a focus on NEV and labour-market alignment. Safety in Schools: Malaysia’s Dewan Rakyat is set to raise pupil safety and bullying/accident prevention under the Online Safety Act 2025, as Japan reported the death of a 10-year-old missing from a special needs school. Learning in the Real World: Sri Lanka’s MCAS and EightD signed an MoU to expand aviation and logistics training. Community Support: Guam’s GTA Gives launched its back-to-school supply drive for Sanctuary, Inc.

Curriculum Militarisation: Russia will more than double basic military training in schools from Sept 1, expanding a grades 6–11 course to 50% of curriculum and adding drone and field drills. Ethnic Unity Law Fallout: China’s new ethnic unity law takes effect July 1, tightening language and identity requirements in schools and raising fears of forced assimilation and overseas legal reach. Policy Implementation Gap: India’s NEP 2020 turns five, but reviews say many states still teach the old way, with foundational literacy and credits reforms lagging. Textbook Controversy: Odisha’s Class 8 art textbook sparked backlash after it included Bollywood song lyrics, alongside reports of widespread textbook errors. Primary Education Funding: The World Bank approved $100m for Uzbekistan to improve primary learning and teaching practices across six regions. Visa Pressure on Education Pathways: Japan’s tighter visa rules are pushing out foreign residents, hitting families and small businesses tied to local communities. Higher Ed Merger: Kean University and New Jersey City University completed a merger, creating Kean Jersey City and expanding public higher education access. Language Policy Tweaks: CBSE relaxed parts of the NEP three-language approach for current Class 10 and ongoing middle grades, easing exam burdens. School Closures for Weather: Dakshina Kannada declared July 2 holiday for schools and PU colleges after a red alert.

Education Policy & Governance: Margibi’s caucus says it will block concession deal amendments unless higher-education revenue is redirected to Margibi University, spotlighting how local budget flows shape university survival. School Calendar: India’s July 2026 school closures will be state-by-state, with festivals like Rath Yatra/Harela (July 16) driving shutdowns. Student Safety & Wellbeing: A Delhi sit-in by the Cockroach Janta Party targets India’s education minister over alleged NEET question-paper leaks, while separate reports flag heat-related school closures and ongoing concerns about child protection. International Education & Mobility: Japan tightens business-manager visa rules, threatening some foreign residents’ stay; meanwhile, a Rugby Academy Samoa player heads to Japan on a university scholarship. Regional Skills & TVET: Kazakhstan and China plan joint training and grants for water-industry specialists, and Samoa’s Laumua o Punaoa wins multiple trade categories at a Pacific skills exhibition. China Policy & Rights: China’s new ethnic unity law draws international backlash, with fears of cultural erasure reaching beyond borders.

Regional School Expansion: Taylor’s Education Group has partnered with Vietnam’s SenTia School to strengthen its K-12 footprint, keeping the Vietnamese national curriculum while adding bilingual and internationally benchmarked programmes, with British University Vietnam supporting academic quality and student mobility. Policy & People-Centred Modernization: China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) puts livelihoods at the centre, with major emphasis on education and other public services, while a separate plan says China will boost global education influence through international research links, study-abroad services, and stronger Chinese language branding. AI Skills in Schools: Amazon and Telangana will roll out AI literacy for government school students via Amazon Future Engineer, targeting 1 million students per year and training 28,000 teachers. Exam Administration: India’s CBSE has opened online processes for Class 12 Supplementary Exam 2026—private candidates register on the CBSE site by July 8, and schools submit the List of Candidates for regular students via Pariksha Sangam. Student Safety & Wellbeing: Cyberabad food-safety raids hit top international schools in Hyderabad, while Mumbai saw a school-bus tragedy after a tree fell, killing a child and injuring others. Higher Education Support: Nigeria’s University of Lagos confirmed stranded students in China are returning home after intervention following social media outcry.

Exam Results & Admissions: AP EAMCET 2026 results and rank cards are now live on the APSCHE portal, with counselling eligibility tied to normalised scores and state ranks, while final seat allotment depends on choices and verification. Education Policy: CBSE has eased the three-language rule by letting current Class X students continue with two foreign languages, with the third language handled via internal evaluation rather than a Class X board exam; Maharashtra also moves to make Marathi compulsory from Classes 1–10 across boards. Assessment Integrity: NTA is preparing to release NEET-UG 2026 retest results by July 20 while processing 10,000+ challenges to provisional answer keys after the June 21 re-exam. Language Futures: Australia’s Asian-language decline is flagged as a national capability risk, with calls to reverse low enrolment in Mandarin, Indonesian, Japanese and Hindi. AI in Schools (China): China is pushing AI into classrooms from primary to college, with students using AI chat tools for learning support and schools trialling AI-assisted assessment and monitoring. Local School Access: In Noida/Greater Noida, heatwave-driven school timings for Classes 1–8 are shortened to 7:00am–12:00pm. University Digital Upgrade (PNG): Western Pacific University launches an AI-enabled digital knowledge hub (LearnX) and SmartX tablets to expand online learning and support services.

India Education Policy: CBSE reversed parts of its mid-session three-language policy confusion, saying current Class 10 students keep the old two-language setup and Class 9 gets a one-time relaxation to continue two foreign languages while adding a Bhartiya Bhasha. Language Mandates: Maharashtra made Marathi legally compulsory from Standards 1–10, with non-compliant schools facing fines and possible derecognition. Medical Entrance Oversight: A parliamentary panel will review NEET-UG re-exam learnings and NTA reforms after the June 21 re-test following a paper-leak cancellation; CBI is probing the leak. Digital Learning & Skills: Bangladesh’s education minister pushed tech-driven secondary education and announced large technical-education allocations; India also highlighted rapid internet growth enabling online learning and services. University Innovation: IIT-Hyderabad plans an Information Age Museum by Dec 2026 to teach AI, computing, robotics and future tech through interactive exhibits. School Safety: Philippines’ DepEd said only 200 security guards cover 48,000 public schools, seeking more funding for hiring and safety upgrades. AI in Classrooms: Reports again flagged students using AI smart glasses to cheat, renewing pressure on exam integrity. Cross-border Cooperation: Korea and East Timor agreed to expand cooperation including education and human resource development. Health & Social Business: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus urged universities to embed social business into curricula, research and innovation.

India–Seychelles Cooperation: PM Narendra Modi and President Patrick Herminie unveiled 19 outcomes and a USD 175 million special economic package covering defence, maritime security, digital payments, space, healthcare, agriculture and education. Exam Integrity in Asia: Smart glasses are being used to cheat in South Korea and Taiwan, prompting tighter inspections and renewed debate on how to balance learning efficiency with test security. AI and Language Access: India’s AI push hinges on closing its language divide, with experts warning that models trained mainly on English can widen gaps for millions of non-English speakers. Higher Education Policy: India’s anaemia fight is shifting from tablet-only campaigns to a lifecycle approach with better diagnosis, dietary focus and digital tracking. Robotics and Learning Ecosystems: JD.com is expanding Europe-wide robot repair and “robot ambulance” services, with education and commercial use cases flagged for future growth. Minority Rights at UN: Tibetan and Uyghur representatives urged UN member states to pressure China to repeal its ethnic unity law, warning it could restrict language, education and cultural freedoms. Japan Health Innovation: A startup plans pig-to-human kidney transplant clinical trials at two hospitals as early as 2028. School Safety Incident (India): A Class VIII student in Andhra Pradesh was reportedly evicted from a hostel after asking for a blanket; an inquiry has been ordered.

Climate Risk for Learning and Livelihoods: India’s monsoon uncertainty under a strong El Niño is pushing agriculture contingency planning, with knock-on effects for food prices and water stress that can hit school attendance and household stability. Workforce & Skills Pipeline: Japan’s Hamamatsu job fair drew 3,700 high school students to local employers, showing how regional industry-school links can slow youth outflow. AI in Education Decisions: China’s gaokao season is seeing AI tools guide university and major choices, but experts warn that final decisions still need human judgment. Academic Integrity Under Pressure: Lanzhou University launched an investigation after a paper was flagged for suspected AI-generated graphics. Modern Tech Meets Heritage: India’s Central Sanskrit University introduced a B.Tech in AI and data science (AICTE-approved), aiming to build language tech and digitise classical texts. Student Futures at Stake: India’s TET paper leak allegations sparked demands for accountability, echoing wider exam-security concerns. Digital Learning Infrastructure: India’s DIKSHA is reiterated as a “One Nation, One Digital Platform” for school education. Regional Education Cooperation: India’s Seychelles visit included launching a Professional and Technical Education Centre and training initiatives, with PM Modi highlighting youth skills and India-linked capacity-building.

ASEAN Higher Ed Push: ASEAN ministers adopted three initiatives to boost digital transformation, teacher development and research collaboration through 2030, including a framework for access to quality higher education via responsible AI and lifelong learning. India Digital Infrastructure: India marked 11 years of Digital India, highlighting BharatNet connectivity, Common Service Centres and online services that reach sectors like education and health. School Safety in India: Gurugram’s Safe School Zone survey flagged 137 schools needing road repairs or speed-calming measures before reopening, with plans for model safety zones. Child Data Privacy: India’s DPDP Act compliance in schools and edtech remains patchy, with concerns over posting children’s photos without clear parental consent. Teacher Phone Rules in Japan: Japan’s AED foundation warned that blanket smartphone bans for teachers could harm emergency communication after voyeurism scandals. Japan Earthquake Update: A 6.1 quake hit northeastern Japan with no tsunami threat; officials reported no issues at nuclear facilities. Work-Life Debate in India: A viral Reddit post about six-day work weeks reignited debate on labour conditions and well-being for young professionals. Language of Learning: Kenya’s education language dilemma spotlights how mother-tongue support can improve comprehension and outcomes. Higher-Ed Tech & AI: Amazon pledged an extra $13bn to expand AI and cloud infrastructure in India, aiming to widen access for startups, enterprises and government.

Tribal Education Access: Parents in Gadilova village, Telangana, say a village school was shifted to serve just four students, forcing children to walk nearly 3 km daily; after a temporary shed was burned, attendance reportedly fell to nil, with families urging the district collector to restore schooling. Language Inclusion: A new analysis argues Hindi learning for Telangana’s tribal students often means juggling multiple languages at once, calling for mother-tongue-based approaches to improve inclusion in ashram and residential schools. Exam Integrity in Asia: Reports from South Korea and Taiwan highlight AI smart glasses used to cheat in high-stakes tests, pushing schools to tighten controls. Digital Transformation: India marks 11 years of Digital India, with the next phase focused on AI, semiconductors and advanced connectivity, including the IndiaAI Mission and more language-learning options. Higher Ed & Campus Life: National University (Bangladesh) plans to plant 2 crore saplings in five years and make English and ICT compulsory at undergraduate level, alongside expanded foreign-language learning. Safety & Enforcement: India’s Supreme Court petition seeks uniform fire-safety rules for high-risk public premises, arguing enforcement gaps—not laws—drive tragedies. AI Literacy Funding: Google.org adds $10m to AVPN’s AI Opportunity Fund to boost AI literacy for educators and youth across Asia-Pacific. Cross-border Education Links: A China-Russia photo exhibition spotlights decades of university exchanges and cooperation.

Higher Education & Research: IIT Bombay and SUNY Old Westbury signed an LoI to expand science and engineering education on Long Island, with new programmes, joint research and faculty/student exchanges focused on emerging areas like AI. University Admissions: Delhi University opened Phase I registration for UG admissions 2026-27 under CSAS UG-2026 on ugadmission.uod.ac.in, using CUET UG 2026 application numbers and Setu API auto-fill to cut errors. Curriculum & Politics: NCERT added an Emergency chapter to Grade 9, triggering renewed BJP–Congress debate over how the period should be taught. Student Safety & Policy: India’s UN push calls for accountability for attacks on schools and children in conflict zones. EdTech & AI Governance: OpenAI appointed Prabhjeet Singh (ex-Uber India) as MD for India while releasing GPT-5.6 Sol with stronger protections against misuse. School Food & Nutrition: West Bengal’s midday-meal egg controversy spotlights how ideology is colliding with child nutrition. Disaster Preparedness: Japan issued evacuation orders for about one million people as two tropical storms approach, disrupting transport and raising landslide risks. Regional Science Agenda: ASEAN advanced its science, technology and innovation plan at a ministerial meeting in Laos, stressing education and research investment. Innovation in STEM: A University of Mumbai researcher received a design patent for a device to capture and sort microplastics from rivers.

Uttar Pradesh Education Overhaul: India’s Uttar Pradesh says it has moved from basic access gaps to “access to excellence,” citing upgrades to 1.32 lakh government schools under Operation Kayakalp, plus wider investment in learning outcomes, teacher empowerment, digital devices and higher education. International Students & Policy: A report says Canada’s immigration rules are increasingly shaping higher education, including a federal cap on international enrolments since 2024—raising concerns for universities and students. CBSE Three-Language Clarification: India’s Education Ministry says Classes 7–9 can keep studying foreign languages under the three-language policy until Class 10, after earlier CBSE guidance triggered embassy pushback. School Safety at UN: India urged the UN Security Council to hold those targeting schools and children accountable, calling education a right that must endure in conflict. Cambodia Teacher Training Boost: Cambodia and Japan’s JICA signed deals worth about US$171.3m, including a new teacher education college in Kampong Cham with STEM facilities. Philippines Workplace Stress: Gallup’s 2026 report finds Filipino workers report stress “a lot of the day” at 50%, the highest in Southeast Asia—an indirect warning for student and school wellbeing. Byju’s Lender Talks: Reuters reports Byju’s lenders are seeking about a 30% stake in Aakash Educational Services as part of a settlement that would end legal action.

Research Publishing: Beijing’s 2nd STM APAC Conference drew 300+ delegates to push more open, trustworthy scholarly communication across publishers, researchers, libraries and institutions, with AI and research integrity high on the agenda. Education in Conflict: India told the UN Security Council that protecting children’s right to education is “incomplete” without accountability for attacks on schools and children, citing record-level verified grave violations in 2025. Student Safety Online: A Philippines commentary argues against blaming violent games alone after a school shooting, stressing the need to address the wider environment around vulnerable students. School Disruption from Climate: Japan evacuated 2.2 million as Typhoon Mekkhala neared, while Taiwan shut offices and schools; in the UK, a heatwave forced closures for hundreds of schools, with temperatures near 38C. India Passport Costs: India’s July 1 passport fee hike (₹2,500 fresh booklet; higher Tatkal) is framed as a new barrier for first-timers, with the “gateway credential” impact on families. Textbook Quality: Odisha CM Mohan Majhi ordered replacement of textbooks after reports of 1,600+ errors, calling it a possible conspiracy and speeding up an inquiry. Global Mobility & Partnerships: Australia’s PM highlighted deeper ties with India as central to future growth, alongside clean energy, AI and supply-chain resilience.