AGP Executive Report

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.

India Education Policy: India’s Supreme Court has issued notices over CBSE’s revised three-language formula for Class 9, seeking responses from the Centre, CBSE and NCERT. Judicial Appointments: The Supreme Court Collegium recommended elevation of four High Court Chief Justices and senior advocate V. Mohana to the apex court, as the government moves to increase the number of Supreme Court judges. Student Mobility & Trade: A Canada visit by India’s commerce minister is being framed as a boost to people-to-people mobility, with VFS Global pointing to rising student and skilled-professional movement tied to a push for a major trade deal. Child Safety & Schools: A China report warns that AI tools and deepfake pornography are worsening child sexual abuse risks, with teachers and school staff still featuring among known offenders. Japan Language Support: Japan’s education ministry draft report flags a record surge in public-school students needing Japanese-language lessons, as local governments struggle to keep foreign children learning alongside peers. Cambodia Crime & Education: Cambodia sentenced six Chinese men to life for the torture and murder of a South Korean student, highlighting the education-linked fallout of transnational scam networks. EdTech & Assessment: India-based Gabble.ai is expanding with “Gabble Business” to help institutes run mock tests and manage learning outcomes using AI. Higher Education Integrity: Haryana blacklisted eight publishers over alleged ghost-book procurement scams affecting government colleges’ libraries. STEM in Space: Filipino students’ “Double Gyroscope” experiment flew on the ISS via JAXA’s Asian Try Zero-G competition.

AI in classrooms and labs: Sejong University opened Team Studios Sejong, billed as Asia’s biggest university-run AI virtual media studio, built with SK Telecom support and LED wall gear for student research in comics and animation. Inclusive mental health: Sense International India launched SII-SAMWED, a structured screening tool for children and young adults with deafblindness, aiming to catch emotional distress earlier. Education access vs disruption: Delhi University told the Delhi High Court it will hold a separately rescheduled exam after July 4 for law students observing Eid-ul-Zuha, after the court heard a challenge to keeping exams on the holiday. Student pathways and anxiety: An IDP report says Indian students are more outcome-focused and selective for overseas study, prioritising career returns, affordability and visa certainty—while a China survey links AI job fears to calls for “emotional education.” Robotics and data ethics: India’s IT ministry is probing startups that record home-service workers and sell footage to robotics labs, after Human Archive raised $8.2M to scale similar headset-based data collection. Skills for work: Australia launched Pacific Australia Skills in Papua New Guinea to strengthen training-to-employment pathways with local partners.

Education & Inclusion: Delhi University says it will hold a special exam for law students missing semester tests on Eid-ul-Azha, after a Delhi High Court petition—students can seek exemption and sit a rescheduled test after July 4. Curriculum & Rights: A watchdog review of Jordan’s 2025-26 textbooks finds antisemitism and calls for violent jihad persist despite new editions, raising fresh pressure on education ministries. Schooling & Safety: A court case in Northern Ireland involves a drink-driver who crashed outside a school with children in the car, spotlighting risks around student safety. Workforce & Skills: Australia launched “Pacific Australia Skills” in Papua New Guinea to expand TVET pathways for jobs. Higher Education Governance: China’s housing ministry moves to broaden public rental access for residents without local hukou, alongside wider support for migrant children—policy that directly affects schooling access. Regional Education Diplomacy: India rejects China-Pakistan references to J&K in a joint statement, underscoring how education and curricula can become part of geopolitical disputes.

Cambodia–China TVET push: Cambodia’s labour and vocational training minister backed a new cooperation deal linking a Guangxi vocational college with Cambodia’s National Polytechnic Institute and Prasith Institute of Technology, with a clear focus on training for new-energy vehicles and the maintenance skills Cambodia needs as EV use grows. NEET re-exam logistics: India’s education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to states and union territories to ensure the June 21 NEET-UG re-examination is run “secure, seamless and foolproof,” urging centres to be ready for severe heat and to close gaps from the earlier process. Student life and skills partnerships: Southern Africa’s wildlife conservation training got a boost as the Southern African Wildlife College and LEAD Conservation signed an MoU to scale conservation education through shared instructor and delivery strengths. Campus politics flare-ups: Kerala University Union election results sparked clashes in Thiruvananthapuram, with police reporting stone-throwing between student groups. India–Canada education-linked trade momentum: India and Canada signalled fast-track talks on a free trade/CEPA agenda, explicitly flagging cooperation areas that include education.

Diplomacy & Education: Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. heads to Japan (May 26–29) with talks expected to cover defense, trade, energy resilience, decarbonization—and people-to-people cooperation that can feed into education and skills links. AI Governance: India’s MeitY and ISB ran a “Governance Summit 2026” on inclusive AI for Viksit Bharat, pushing AI use from healthcare and education to last-mile delivery down to gram panchayats. Exam Pressure in India: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged states to ensure heatwave-ready facilities for the NEET UG re-exam on June 21, as CBSE’s re-evaluation system faces fresh scrutiny after a reported answer-sheet mix-up. Cross-border Schooling & Mobility: China’s “Chinese Bridge” competition in Sudan spotlights Chinese language learning as a gateway for students’ future study and careers. Regional Partnerships: Pakistan and China signed education and institutional cooperation documents, while Serbia and China added new deals including education and vocational/dual learning. Sports & Youth Development: Zinc Football Academy says it has reached 1,400+ young players, with girls’ football accelerating alongside grassroots pathways.

Diplomacy & Health: India’s India-Africa Forum Summit has been postponed as Ebola concerns in parts of Africa, including the DRC and Uganda, intensify—shifting attention to Africa CDC preparedness and response capacity. Education & Student Life: SEBI is consulting on “salary-linked” SIPs, aiming to make investing simpler for salaried Indians by letting employers deduct and invest automatically—an indirect push toward steadier financial habits for students and early-career workers. Safety Science: Andhra University research flags 122 high-risk rip-current days along Visakhapatnam’s coast, underscoring the need for better beach safety planning where drownings have been reported. Tech in Healthcare: A Hyderabad surgeon remotely performed a robotic bladder procedure from Wuhan, highlighting cross-border medical training and access. Climate & Disasters: Chongqing’s southwest floods after record rainfall keep rescue teams busy, with evacuations and missing persons still being tracked. Regional Security: Australia’s Penny Wong is set to visit India for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting, with education and skills cooperation listed alongside maritime security and critical minerals.