Private School Vouchers: Philippines lawmakers cleared a reconciled Private Basic Education Voucher Program, moving the country closer to expanding school choice and access to private education. Technical Education Access: Bangladesh lowered the minimum admission age for Class IX in vocational tracks to 12 and suspended admissions at 621 vocational institutions that haven’t enrolled students for a prolonged period. School Food Safety: Bangladesh’s education minister warned of strict disciplinary and legal action over spoiled food in primary schools as the mid-day meal rollout begins. Early Learning & Equity: A new analysis finds maths and writing gaps widening, with more than 90% of poor children falling behind by Year 3. Higher Ed Under Pressure: Johns Hopkins University announced layoffs of about 110 staff tied to shrinking federal research funding. AI + STEAM for Girls: NYC’s Hip-Hop Education Center won a STEAM Forward grant to launch the Hip-Hop STEAMHER Accelerator for girls leading the algorithm. Health Research Expansion: ASU is expanding its Health Observatory in northern Arizona by partnering with TGen North to accelerate infectious disease and community health research. Court Challenge to Education Rule: A federal court granted preliminary relief in a challenge to a U.S. Department of Education rule redefining “professional degree,” affecting nurse practitioner students.