Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Education: Oddly enough

William Hartson
Thursday 05 March 1998 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sporting rivalry:

An argument over a high school basketball match in Philadelphia is believed to have left one person dead and three injured. Alumni of Ben Franklin High School and Franklin Learning Centre had been watching their old schools contest the final of a local competition. "The older guys probably got into a little heated argument as to who was probably better," said a police spokesman. Security forces then broke up a fist fight, but shots were fired, killing one man and leaving three in hospital.

Christian compromise:

After a drive by Catholic students at Georgetown University, Washington, to have figures of Christ on the cross placed in every classroom, university officials have decided to place a crucifix in every room except one.

Polish prudery:

A plan to introduce sex education in Polish schools that was approved by the outgoing government in 1996 has undergone some changes under the new Solidarity-led administration. The task of devising the course has been taken away from a renowned sexologist and given instead to a teacher at the Catholic University in Lublin. Zbigniew Lew-Starowicz, the sex expert originally assigned to head the team, has complained that the new team will probably treat masturbation as "pathology and sin", while his approach regarded it as "a temporary form of youth sexual activity".

Turkish tolerance:

"Girls will not be forced to cover or uncover their heads," the Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has announced, overturning an earlier ruling that girl pupils at state schools would be banned from wearing headscarves. The Turkish military strongly support a headscarf ban, but following strong protests, the government has relented.

Bouncy babies:

Researchers in Cincinatti have identified a moment in a child's development, which they call "adiposity rebound", when the child reaches its leanest point after shedding baby fat. The age at which this happens may predict later obesity. The researchers stress that the finding has no immediate practical implication.

Lifelong learning: the conference

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in