AGP Executive Report

Japan Demographics & Policy: Japan’s total fertility rate fell to a record low 1.14 in 2025, with births also hitting a record low, renewing calls for more effective family-support strategies. China–North Korea Diplomacy: Xi Jinping will visit North Korea June 8–9, signaling Beijing’s push to pull Pyongyang deeper into its orbit amid sanctions and shifting ties. Education Reform (India): India’s NEET/CBSE assessment system faces renewed pressure after reports of a second NEET paper leak and evaluation glitches, with calls to rethink how exams measure reasoning and understanding. Medical Education & Patient Safety (India): India’s National Medical Commission orders medical colleges to tighten injection safety, banning needle/syringe reuse to prevent HIV and hepatitis outbreaks. Higher Ed Infrastructure (India): Phek Government College in Nagaland inaugurates a new academic block under RUSA/PM-USHA, aiming to strengthen learning under NEP 2020. University Admissions (Malaysia): Malaysia reopens debate on whether Chinese-language UEC pathways should feed into public universities, reigniting arguments over Malay-language primacy. AI for Schools (Kazakhstan): OpenAI discusses “ChatGPT Edu” and teacher/student AI training with Kazakhstan, as the country leads Central Asia in generative AI uptake. Regional Education Diplomacy (India–UK): UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper’s India visit includes approvals for a University of Liverpool Bengaluru campus and a Critical Minerals Observatory tied to broader education cooperation. Campus & Community Learning (Japan/Asia): A bear escape in Fukushima highlights rising bear incidents near schools and homes, while Japan’s gaokao prep in Hebei shows schools using lighter activities to reduce exam stress.

One Health in Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan reviewed progress on a World Bank-backed One Health project funded by the Pandemic Fund, aiming to produce a regional report by July 31, 2026. China–Cabo Verde education and health ties: Marking 50 years of diplomacy, China and Cabo Verde say cooperation is entering a new stage, with health and education projects highlighted by the Chinese ambassador. International study abroad gap: A survey of 67,000 prospective students across 150 countries finds a widening gap between interest and actual enrolment abroad, driven by visa odds, affordability and perceptions of safety. Pacific student pathways in NZ: The University of Auckland spotlights Pacific bridging and pathway programmes, with Samoan women leading support for school leavers’ transition into tertiary study. EU–China trade friction: China’s foreign ministry pushes back on EU “de-risking” plans, arguing business localization and expansion show political rhetoric isn’t matching commercial reality. Student recruitment pressure: Five Eyes warns Chinese-linked recruitment tactics using job platforms to target Western defence and policy-linked personnel. Education workforce health: Punjab, India is expanding school-based menstrual health education, targeting over 3.4 lakh girls in government schools. Student safety abroad (Japan): Search efforts continue for an Auburn University student missing in Kyoto, with police saying it’s “highly probable” he left intentionally while still concerned for his safety.

Green Development & Education Exchange: Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith visited Zhejiang’s Anji County to study China’s eco-tourism and rural jobs model, meeting homestay entrepreneurs and seeing how “lucid waters and lush mountains” can be turned into livelihoods. Student Safety & Search Effort: Auburn University biosystems student James “Weston” Higginbotham, 20, went missing in Kyoto after last being seen near Yamashina station; family says he may be “emotionally distressed” and reports the search was disrupted by typhoon weather. Higher Education Policy Pressure: U.S. lawmakers renewed calls to fix “broken” college sports as programs and scholarships in women’s and Olympic sports are cut amid rising costs. Regional Infrastructure for Learning & Work: AECOM and the Urban Land Institute launched an Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Innovation Index, surveying senior professionals on how innovation is being used to improve delivery and resilience. Health Training Partnerships: China’s 27th medical team delivered practical ENT nursing training at Njala University in Sierra Leone, using case simulations and planning continued academic lectures. Campus Tech & Jobs: Ho Chi Minh City is accelerating tech FDI with new data centre and AI-related projects, signaling demand for digital infrastructure and skills. Waste Governance: Fiji rejected an Australian plan to ship regional rubbish and burn it for energy, citing public health, hazardous ash, and tourism risks. Academic Integrity in Exams: India’s CBSE OSM marking controversy is framed as a major preparedness failure that left students with unexpected results and a stressed re-evaluation process.

India CBSE OSM Probe: A 17-year-old Class XII whistleblower, Sarthak Sidhant, told India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education that the “On-screen marking” (OSM) rollout involved tender irregularities and discrepancies between physical and digital answer-sheet evaluations, as the government transferred CBSE’s chairman and secretary and ordered an inquiry. India Exam System Pressure: Separate reporting highlights how students are being hit by exam-process disruptions, including digital evaluation and re-evaluation bottlenecks, as authorities scramble to restore trust. Japan Student Missing: In Kyoto, Japan, Auburn University student James “Weston” Higginbotham, 20, has been missing since May 29 during a family trip; police are reviewing CCTV and searching wooded areas as weather complicates efforts. Regional Media Integrity: Cambodia praised China’s anti-fake news support through the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund, framing misinformation as a broader digital resilience challenge. Pacific Disaster Recovery: After Super Typhoon Sinlaku, schools and communities in the Western Pacific are still disrupted, with thousands displaced and recovery uncertain. Seoul Education Leadership: Exit polls project Jung Geun-sik for a second term as Seoul education superintendent, with promises to build an integrated curriculum. Cultural Heritage in Schools (China): Tongjiang City is using primary-school programs to safeguard Hezhe intangible heritage, including “Hezhen Yimakan storytelling.” Education & Consumer Tech (India): India’s consumer regulator fined PhysicsWallah and McAfee India over deceptive digital practices targeting students and users during checkout and renewals.

China Real Estate Fallout: Property service firms are struggling to collect management fees as homeowners withhold payments, leaving compounds with unpaid infrastructure, waste and security gaps—collection rates at top firms reportedly fell to 71% last year from 89% in 2021. Wealth & Inheritance Shifts: Across East Asia, families are rethinking inheritance beyond property as confidence in real estate weakens, with more parents turning to stocks, funds and insurance. STEM & Skills Pipeline: Kenya’s nine-student teams reached the Huawei ICT Competition global final in Shenzhen, competing across network, cloud and computing tracks. China–Kazakhstan Education Tech Transfer: Kazakhstan’s Luban Workshop at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University is giving students hands-on AI and computer-vision training with Chinese equipment. Education Exchange Diplomacy: Russia’s rector says the Russia–China Years of Education are driving new school and university exchange plans, with tens of thousands of students studying across borders. Campus Access Pressure: US lawmakers warned a New Hampshire university could lose up to 2,000 international graduate students if DHS delays approval for a new doctoral programme. AI Learning Expansion: Inteleos and Medvarsity are partnering to broaden global access to foundational POCUS ultrasound education via a certificate pathway. India Bio-Economy Push: India’s bio-economy leadership push was highlighted at BIOPSF 2026, stressing industry-academia links and formulation tech for bio-based agri inputs. Japan Inclusion Policy: Japan’s draft basic plan under its LGBT understanding promotion law proposes leaflets, training videos and consultation systems to improve public awareness. Student Mobility & Safety: A Japan-bound school trip highlights ongoing Asia-Pacific education exchanges, while Japan’s measles situation remains a backdrop for public health vigilance.

Medical Education & Patient Safety: India’s National Medical Commission ordered medical colleges to follow strict safe-injection rules, including segregation of sharps waste, periodic competency training for healthcare workers, and zero tolerance for practices like reuse or improper disposal. Exam Governance & Digital Security: India’s CBSE said its Class 12 verification and re-evaluation portal stayed online despite cyberattacks, including a denial-of-service attempt; meanwhile, CBSE chair Rahul Singh and secretary Himanshu Gupta were transferred amid allegations of mismanagement. Education Protests & Reform Pressure: Sonam Wangchuk backed the “Cockroach Janta Party” push for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, linking exam irregularities to a wider trust crisis in India’s education system. Rural Skills & Language Access: Tripura signed an MoU with Ramakrishna Mission to open the state’s first dedicated foreign language training centre to help youth overcome communication barriers for study and work. Water Infrastructure for Schools & Homes: Tamil Nadu signed an MoU to roll out Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, aiming to expand safe household water supply. Climate & Health Learning Context: A Pune study on heat stress among street vendors found official heat plans often fail to protect informal workers—an education-adjacent reminder of who gets left out of public safeguards. International Education Exchange: Japan’s MEXT announced a research scholarship call for Haitian master’s/PhD candidates, supporting academic and scientific exchanges. Arts & Learning in China: A Chongqing fine arts graduation project let farmers sell produce alongside student work, reflecting a shift toward locally rooted, practical learning in art schools.

CBSE Exam Integrity: CBSE has finally switched on its Class 10 and Class 12 verification and re-evaluation portal after technical delays, with students urged to apply carefully and meet eligibility rules tied to scanned answer copies. Student Protests & Trust Crisis: The wider fallout continues as students and youth groups protest exam irregularities and grading glitches, keeping pressure on India’s education authorities. NEET Leak Fallout: Fresh allegations around NEET-UG 2026 keep the spotlight on entrance-test governance and accountability. Education Access in the Pacific: Pacific youth in Suva launched a climate “talanoa” push to strengthen regional accountability, while Pacific school food efforts frame schools as frontline health hubs against rising non-communicable diseases. Equity in Schools: A Birmingham city-centre school’s free Friday food market shows how schools are stepping in where weekend hunger hits hardest. Higher Education Expansion: Vietnam approved plans to upgrade major universities in the south to Asia-leading standards by 2035, including economics, medicine and a research-focused German-style model. Skills & Youth Pathways: Japan-based nonprofits and firms are teaming up to offer free cultural and outdoor experiences to narrow opportunity gaps for young children.

Exam Integrity Under Fire (India): Students and opposition groups protested outside India’s Education Ministry over alleged NEET-UG 2026 leaks, CUET-UG delays, and concerns about CBSE’s on-screen marking portal, with police detaining demonstrators and calls growing for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Cybersecurity in School Evaluation (India): CBSE acknowledged loopholes in its OSM system after an ethical hacker raised risks to evaluator accounts and student answer-sheet data, launching a high-level cybersecurity exercise and continuous monitoring. Access to Elite STEM (India): Welfare residential school students in Telangana overcame financial and social barriers to crack JEE Advanced, including a student reporting AIR 1 in the state’s cohort and multiple girls from KGBV securing top ranks. AI Surveillance Concerns (China): Leaked documents say a Chinese firm is developing AI that could predict who may criticize the government, intensifying privacy and censorship worries. Outbound Investment Tightening (China): China issued new rules to tighten overseas deals involving Chinese investors, tech, data and national security, raising compliance and unwinding risks for global firms. Student Protests Spread (India): A separate wave of demonstrations targeted exam “irregularities,” keeping pressure on national testing bodies and exam timelines. Learning and Confidence Gap (Bengaluru): A Bengaluru report highlights how children in care homes and government schools may understand English but lack confidence to speak, pointing to a skills gap beyond textbook learning. Regional Security Context (Asia-Pacific): Coverage around Shangri-La Dialogue and maritime tensions underscores how education policy debates are increasingly shaped by broader regional instability.

Disability Inclusion Push: UNICEF says China is making “substantial progress” on access for children with disabilities, citing barrier-free laws, stronger family support, and inclusive education—while urging schools and attitudes to remove remaining barriers. Higher-Education Staffing Crisis: Tamil Nadu universities face a faculty shortage, with major vacancy rates and campuses running with in-charge leadership, raising risks for academic oversight and research. Exam Integrity & Digital Marking: India’s CBSE faces backlash over its fully digital On-Screen Marking rollout, with students reporting scan issues and mix-ups—renewing the debate on how tech should support, not replace, teacher judgment. Judicial Capacity for Education Governance: India’s Supreme Court gets five new judges, bringing the bench to 37, after the sanctioned strength was raised—an institutional update with knock-on effects for education-related litigation. China Human Development Lens: Tsinghua and UNDP released a report assessing China’s regional economic and social progress alongside environmental and governance costs, framing the next steps for sustainable development. Youth Athletics in Schools: China’s Kids’ Athletics Month and related school competitions are expanding grassroots participation, with events for primary students and nationwide youth meets. International Education Links: Cambodia and China sign a TVET partnership to build NEV vocational skills, aiming to align curricula and standards with industry needs.

Exam Integrity in Focus: India’s CUET-UG 2026 faced fresh disruption after a technical glitch at some centres; NTA rescheduled the May 31 shift and ordered a re-test for 3,765 affected candidates, after earlier Eid al-Adha-linked timetable changes. Cybersecurity in Education: CBSE’s post-result revaluation portal was hit by an alleged malicious attack on its payment gateway, causing fee-display anomalies for around 50 students. Student Rights & Privacy: Opposition leaders escalated the CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) row, alleging poor scan quality and a possible data leak affecting 20 lakh students, while demanding accountability. School Health Policy Debate: Kerala’s proposal for up to three days of menstrual leave sparked debate over “menstrual dignity,” privacy, and how to keep learning on track. Digital Learning & AI in Classrooms: China’s World Intelligence Expo highlighted AI tools moving into education, from smart boards that digitise handwritten math to classroom monitoring and support systems. Sports Integrity Education: WADA chief Witold Banka joined a Tsinghua University event promoting clean sport values and anti-doping education for students and faculty. Regional Security Context: At Shangri-La Dialogue, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged allies to raise defense spending, while China’s absence from the top podium drew attention.

Teacher Mobility & Global Standards (Philippines): DepEd’s “Teacher Beyond Borders” fair in Quezon City is pushing international scholarships and exchange programs so public school teachers can bring global teaching practices back to classrooms. Higher Education Expansion (India): Reliance-backed Vantara University in Gujarat launches as a wildlife and veterinary-focused global university model, aiming to train conservation scientists and veterinarians amid biodiversity and zoonotic disease pressures. Research Integrity Crackdown (China): Nankai and Sun Yat-sen universities announce penalties for academic misconduct, including staff removals and strengthened research-integrity training. Women’s Education & Constraints (India): NFHS-6 (2023-24) reports gains in schooling and internet access for women, but low property ownership and continued early marriage remain stubborn. Regional Security & Education Policy Link (Asia-Pacific): At Shangri-La Dialogue, China’s defense scholars question Japan’s defense cooperation role while India and partners keep pushing Indo-Pacific security coordination—context that shapes education and youth policy priorities across the region. China-Africa 70 Years (Education & Youth): China-Africa relations’ 70th anniversary coverage highlights cultural and knowledge exchange themes, including youth events tied to the China-Africa Year.

Pacific Security: New Zealand and other Pacific countries are watching a gang-linked killing that led to arrests across Samoa and Vietnam, raising fears that organised crime networks are tightening coordination across the region. India Exams & Assessment: India’s CBSE Class 12 results backlash is growing after students report marking problems tied to the on-screen marking system, with requests for answer-sheet copies pouring in. NEET Security: India is considering Defence Forces involvement in safeguarding and transporting question papers for high-stakes exams like NEET UG, following the leak controversy. Youth Policy: India’s Youth Affairs & Sports ministry kicked off a two-day “Chintan Shivir” in Meghalaya to push youth-led delivery and grassroots mobilisation through MY Bharat and NSS. China Child Welfare: China launched a precision care drive for migrant and left-behind children, tightening data sharing and tracking via a “one child, one file” system to protect schooling and health access. Japan International Students: Japan hit a record 408,069 foreign exchange students as of May 2025, with growth driven by Chinese, Nepalese and Vietnamese enrolments. Higher Education Reform: Maharashtra set up a task force to fast-track NEP 2020 rollout in colleges and universities, focusing on credit transfer, entry-exit systems and exam rules. Community Learning & Culture: Japan’s “shiru-katsu” sticker-swapping craze is back, while Chinese films are being screened in Kathmandu to deepen film and cultural ties.

Cross-Strait Education Policy: China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has reorganized and created a dedicated bureau to manage mainland education, internships, employment and entrepreneurship for Taiwanese residents, signaling a long-term push to deepen cross-strait integration. Exam Integrity & Student Support (India): Delhi announced free bus travel for NEET test-takers on June 21, aiming to cut travel stress amid heavy commuter traffic and heat. Teacher Conduct (Hong Kong): Hong Kong authorities said they handled an incident involving a teacher carrying a female student “like a bride” after photos surfaced online, reiterating professional conduct rules focused on student welfare. Climate Pressure on Learning (India): India’s monsoon forecast points to below-normal rainfall (about 90% of the long-period average) alongside hotter June conditions, while India’s National Green Tribunal is demanding action plans for the escalating heatwave crisis affecting health and schools. Energy Access for Schools (Zambia): A solar mini-grid donation worth about US$350,000 will power nine schools and five rural health centers in Kaumbwe, improving reliable electricity for learning and ICT. Higher Education & Knowledge Systems (Africa): A forum at the University of Dar es Salaam challenged African universities to reclaim control of knowledge production amid global funding and publishing pressures.

India–Sri Lanka Business Links: The Indian CEO Forum’s AGM re-elected Kishore Reddy as president, with High Commissioner Santosh Jha urging deeper business-to-business ties to keep bilateral growth moving. Philippines–Japan Education & Security Partnership: Manila and Tokyo upgraded relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” signaling tighter cooperation on AI and emerging industries alongside defense and maritime security. Japan Immigration for Entrepreneurs: Japan’s higher capital requirement for the “business manager” visa is sparking backlash from foreign owners, including an Indian restaurateur in Tokyo. China’s Education-Adjacent Innovation Push: China’s marine biopharma policy sets targets for innovative drug development and industry value by 2030, while China also highlights faster approvals for homegrown cancer medicines. Learning Outcomes Under Pressure (Philippines): A report cited by ACT Teachers says 87% of Grade 11 students can’t understand what they read, pointing to systemic K-12 failures. School Safety Tragedy (Kenya): A dorm fire at Utumishi Girls Academy killed at least 16 students, renewing scrutiny of school safety standards. International School Expansion (Thailand): NLCS International plans NLCS Phuket, bringing the UK school model to Thailand’s growing international education market. Higher Ed & Jobs (China/Global): China-US think tank voices call for expanding education exchanges as graduates face tougher job markets.

Reading Crisis in the Philippines: Edcom 2 data cited by ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio says 87% of Grade 11 students can’t understand what they read, with lawmakers urging DepEd to “go back to basics” on reading and comprehension before rolling out new policies. India-AI Skills Push: India’s industry-led AI curriculum taskforce backs moving technical education from lectures to real-world use cases, raising practical exposure and adding responsible AI across semesters, with credit-based entry-exit pathways. School Transport Costs Rise in India: Pune school bus/van fees may jump 15–20% as fuel and urea prices climb, squeezing parents and transport operators. Nepal Earthquake-Resilient Schools: India pledges NPR 560.2 million to build 14 safer schools across eight Nepal districts, including classrooms and separate sanitation. Japan Student Mobility Shift: Japan’s outbound study trend is increasingly group-based, with 170,000 students abroad via 41 providers in 2025, while individual study declines. Cambodia Court Sentences Chinese Men: A Cambodian court handed six Chinese men life terms over the torture and murder of a South Korean student, tied to cross-border scam networks. China Education-Industry Link: Reuters reports global capability centres in India are using AI for tasks from marketing to clinical support, pushing AI deeper into corporate operations.

Education Policy & Rights: Japan’s education ministry ordered Doshisha International Senior High School to revise its peace-studies curriculum after a boat accident, raising fears of political neutrality being policed in classrooms. Language & Teacher Impact: In India, CBSE’s new three-language framework for Class 9 is displacing foreign language teachers, with educators and students bracing for sudden shifts in what languages can be taught. Curriculum Governance: India’s Supreme Court is seeking responses on CBSE’s Class 9 three-language mandate, with concerns about lack of books and teachers. Higher Education & Research: Central Sanskrit University launched an IKS-funded internship on Indian Aesthetic Science in Living Traditions, linking Sanskrit scholarship with contemporary cultural practice. Student Pathways & Access: XJTLU held its 11th Innovation in Higher Education conference, focusing on moving from knowledge transmission to value creation. School Systems & Continuity: Philippines President Marcos Jr. named Education Secretary Sonny Angara as part of a caretaker panel while he visits Japan, ensuring continuity on urgent and routine government matters. Labour Market Signals for Youth: A viral shepherd job ad in China—drawing 700+ applicants—highlights mounting pressure on young workers and the strain in rural labour demand.