02 / Understand

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The Reading Room

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Shared source · dw.com · Society & change

Oregon school shooting: Gunman kills 3 students and teacher before being shot dead by community member

A 16-year-old gunman opened fire at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, killing three children and a teacher. Two others were wounded. A community member pursued and killed the suspected shooter, authorities said.

Contributor note

Another school. More children dead. And once again, the debate turns to guns. But why do schools keep becoming places of terror? What is happening in the environments where children spend their lives? Schools cannot remain unquestioned while every argument…

Shared source · CNN · Learning & education

Police detain dozens and check 50,000 schools after two attacks shake Poland | CNN

Police on Saturday said they detained 76 people across Poland and checked nearly 50,000 schools nationwide as part of efforts to prevent further violence following two school attacks earlier in the week.

Contributor note

Children are expected to attend. Families face pressure to comply. Their futures depend on succeeding inside these institutions. How dare we demand that level of obedience without demanding the same level of responsibility from the system? Safety, dignity and meaningful…

Shared source · New York Post · Learning & education

Exclusive | Cornell frat bros forcibly drugged student before horrifying gang rape, texted ‘free p–y’ invitation: suit

The elite school later offered the accused frat boys the chance to “mitigate their conduct by submitting essays,” according to the deeply disturbing filing.

Contributor note

Prestige. Elite education. Promising futures. Then allegations of drugging and gang rape—and, according to the lawsuit, an opportunity to mitigate misconduct by writing essays. If substantiated, what a grotesque betrayal of education. Demand accountability from the institution as fiercely as…

Shared source · CBS News · Learning & education

Former Cornell University student sues school, 7 fraternity members over rape allegations

Cornell University and seven Chi Phi fraternity members are facing a lawsuit over rape allegations.

Contributor note

What exactly does the prestige protect? When allegations of drugging and sexual violence emerge from university life, prosecuting individuals cannot be the end of the reckoning. Scrutinise the culture, the power and the institution’s response. Stop worshipping the university’s name.…

Shared source · France 24 · Learning & education

French students ‘not giving up the fight’ as 480,000 join new day of school protests

French students staged another day of nationwide protests on Tuesday over poor school conditions, including teacher shortages and dilapidated buildings, vowing to keep up the pressure ahead of half-term…

Contributor note

More people are speaking. More people are refusing to accept that this is good enough. Education connects all of us: its failures follow us into our workplaces, families and public life. These demands concern everyone. If we keep neglecting the…

Shared source · The Conversation · Learning & education

French school protests: a rite of passage – and the result of genuine concerns

Problems – and protests – regarding conditions in French schools go back decades.

Contributor note

So it begins: the refusal to inherit a broken system quietly. Dismissing these protests as a youthful ritual is a convenient way to avoid hearing them. Students are demanding a future worth entering. The Learning Movement stands for turning that…

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