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What is the World Football Compassion Cup? And How will it Change the World?

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What is the World Football Compassion Cup? And How will it Change the World?

Football (soccer) is the world’s biggest sport. Now it will lead the battle to ensure every child on the planet can be the best they can be.

NJ MED, an international human rights NGO organization has developed an annual football award to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and their educational mission.

The award called the World Compassion Cup (WCC) is an international football competition to recognize football’s richest clubs and their supporters – on the field and off the field contribution – to their communities, country, and their social impact, by:

  • demonstrating teamwork,
  • goal-oriented achievement
  • promoting unity, and
  • bringing public awareness to others in need.

Each week, teams are ranked in their leagues, leagues cups, and international cup competitions. Teams gain three points for wins, one point for ties, and lose three points for losing. Club’s supporter performance also influence the team’s points. Three points for outstanding behavior of sportsmanship or lose three points for showing poor behavior of sportsmanship.

The World Compassion Cup’s three previous winners are Manchester City in 2018-2019, Bayern Munich in 2019-2020, and Manchester City in 2020-2021.

This year’s competition promises to be the best year yet.

Why Football?

NJ MED’s CEO/Founder, Albert Mitchell II, said, “Football touches so many lives. It’s played in over 200 countries. Boys and girls start playing at the age of 5, in villages and cities. It is an all-inclusive sport.

“It is our goal to use football and the passion it brings, to help grow communities in social change that better the lives of those who play and support it. That’s why we connect teams with their foundation’s profiles.”

Many of the world’s top clubs foundations do work in the poorest countries in Africa and Asia. It is our plan to use this as an opportunity to not only promote the sport of football but education as well.

We would like to link the club’s foundations with the UN’s International Children Day Campaign. Whose mission is to promote togetherness around the world, awareness of the problems children face in every corner of the globe, and improve the welfare for all children.

Each country celebrates this day on different dates. We hope the top clubs and their supporters can help raise funds or host events to distribute free educational tools to children in the poorest countries.

We see it as a win-win situation for the clubs and the countries they serve in promoting the support of football.

Let’s grow the Beautiful Game with a purpose to make the world a Smarter World, A Greater World.

Let the Games Begin

The 2021-2022 season.

This year the top clubs go for it: Starting with twelve clubs from the English Premier League (EPL), five Clubs from the Germany Bundesliga League, four clubs from the Spanish LaLiga, four from the Italian Serie A, two from the Franc League – Ligue 1, and one each from the Russian Premier league, the Dutch league – Eredivisie, and Portugal’s league, Liga.

Here are our predictions for the top 20 spots.

  1. FC Zeit Saint Petersburg, Russia, Not Ranked in 2020-2021

In preparation for this season, Zeit has preserved the core of the group that got them to winning the Russian League while adding scoring alternatives such as Sardar Azmoun and the returning Artem Dzyuba. There is a track record of winning under coach Sergei Semak making good on his talent.
TEAM: Stanislav Kritsyuk – GK, Dejan Lovren – RB, Dmitriy Chistyakov –CB,Yaroslav Rakitskiy –LB, Vyacheslav Karavaev-M, Wendel –M, Wilmar Barrios –M,, Douglas Santos –M, Malcom –F,, Sardar Azmoun – F, Artem Dzyuba –F
COACH: Sergei Semak

  1. Leicester City, UK, Ranked 20th in 2020-2021

Brendan Rodgers’ side’s traditional Premier League season finale — pipped to a top four finish in the final hours of the season — threatens to overshadow the reality of the season as a whole. Yes, how the table looks after 38 games is important, but that does not negate the importance of the overall picture of the season.

That isn’t enough to persuade you to pick them for the top four in the EPL , partly because there were mitigating factors in each of those seasons to explain why a Champions League qualification slot became available. Much of the “big six” was in upheaval in 2019-20, with Manchester United taking half a season to get underway. Similarly, Liverpool had a severe injury issue last season, following which a top-four finish was a great feat. And when these teams falter, Leicester is ready to take advantage. Expect the Foxes to be hot on Chelsea’s heels if their midfield crumbles or if a manager loses control of the dressing room.
TEAM: Kasper Schmeichel – GK, Ricardo Pereira – RB, Jonny Evans –CB,, Caglar Söyüncü – CB, Ryan Bertrand –LB, Harvey Barnes – M, Daniel Amartey – M, Youri Tielemans – M, James Maddison – M, Jamie Vardy – F, Kelechi Iheanacho – F
COACH: Brendan Rodgers

  1. AC Milan, Italy, Ranked 11th in 2020-2021

Despite keeping the majority of their starters from last season, the Rossoneri may take a step back in the coming season. The club’s form deteriorated in the second half of last year, and they swiftly dropped out of the title chase.

Despite this grim outlook, Milan’s abundance of young talent could force a Champions League finish. Brahim Diaz, a high-potential attacking midfielder, could finally break through and earn a starting spot this year. Tonali, Ballo-Toure, and Leao, among a few more young players, are all highly rated and have the potential to become elite players.
TEAM: Mike Maignan – GK, Davide Calabria – RB, Fikayo Tomori – CB, Alessio Romagnoli – CB, Theo Hernández – LB, Ismaël Bennacer – M, Franck Kessié – M, Alexis Saelemaekers –M, Brahim Díaz –M, Rafael Leão – F, Ante Rebic – F
COACH: Stefano Pioli

  1. Olympique Lyonnais, France, Ranked 15th in 2020-2021

When it comes to replacing leaving players, the Lyonnais hierarchy has earned the right to be trusted. Losing elite players have largely proven to be speed bumps that have little impact on the club’s overall direction, so why should a scouting system that has identified so many potential stars be unable to survive without Memphis Depay?
TEAM: Anthony Lopes –GK, Sinaly Diomande – RB, Jérôme Boateng – CB, Jason Denayer – CB, Emerson – LB, Bruno Guimarães – M, Houssem Aouar – M, Lucas Paquetá – M, Xherdan Shaqiri – M, Karl Toko Ekambi – F, Moussa Dembélé – F
COACH: Peter Bosz

  1. Benfica, Portgual, Ranked 14th in 2020-2021

Benfica will be the team to defeat, as they always are, and will be hurting after losing to Sporting last season. Anything less than a Primeira Liga victory is considered a failure after winning five titles in six seasons between 2014 and 2019. As a result, coach Jorge Jesus is under a lot of strain this season as he juggles off-field politics in the boardroom with the need to keep a competitive squad together.

Jesus spent a lot of money last summer, but he’s shown in the past that he can assemble a roster of pricey, skilled players and turn them into a title-winning team. He now needs to accomplish the same thing, but under far more duress. Benfica, like Porto, has been under fire from their own fans for not promoting more youth players to the first squad, such as Diogo Gonçalves, so Jesus will be expected to do the same, but with the experience of Nicolas Otamendi and Jan Vertonghen at the back.
TEAM: Odisseas Vlachodimos – GK, Lucas Verissimo – RB, Nicolás Otamendi- CB, Jan Vertonghen – CB, Alejandro Grimaldo – LB, Julian Weigl – M, João Mário – M, Rafa – M, Roman Yaremchuk – F, Darwin Núñez – F, Everton – F
COACH: Jorge Jesus

  1. Tottenham Hotspurs, UK, Ranked 17th in 2020-2021

It usually takes a bit for a team to adjust to a new management and a new style. Nuno’s Premier League experience could help speed things up. If Kane does depart, however, one of Nuno’s key concerns will be to replace him and his ambitions. United, City, Liverpool, and Chelsea have all made additions to their squads, and Spurs appear to be lacking in quality when compared to the other ‘Top 6′.

Spurs will be aiming for the UEFA Conference League trophy, despite the fact that it is not a high-level league.

Nuno’s squad had a reasonably good first season, winning the Conference League and having a decent run in the FA Cup.

Spurs’ inability to break down low-block defense was one of their key concerns, as they lost points to lower-level opponents. Nuno is expected to respond to this. Nuno’s teams did not sit back after taking the lead at Wolves, and the same aggressive ambition is expected at Spurs.
TEAM: Hugo Lloris – GK, Emerson – RB, Eric Dier – CB, Davinson Sánchez – CB, Sergio Reguilón – LB, Dele Alli – M, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – M, Tanguy Ndombele – M, Steven Bergwijn – M, Son Heung-Min – F, Harry Kane – F
COACH: Nuno Espírito Santo

  1. Inter Milan, Italy, Ranked 6th in 2020-2021

A summer like Inter’s would make headlines across Europe in any other season. When their transformational head coach saw the writing on the wall regarding the club’s finances, he walked out the exit door, followed by one of the best right-sided players in the world (Achraf Hakimi) and forwards (Romelu Lukaku).

Inter, to their credit, have made the best of a terrible situation by replacing the two players with Edin Dzeko’s experience and Denzel Dumfries’ Euro 2020 stardom, as well as bringing in Joaquin Correa, Hakan Calhanoglu, and promising center defender Zinho Vanheusden. Although the majority of those players, as well as new manager Simone Inzaghi, are familiar with Serie A, it is impossible to dispute that they are not a substantially worse team now than they were when the summer began.
TEAM: Samir Handanovic – GK, Denzel Dumfries – RB, Milan Skriniar – CB, Stefan de Vrij – CB, Federico Dimarco – LB, Nicolò Barella – M, Arturo Vidal – M, Marcelo Brozovic – M, Ivan Perisic – M, Lautaro Martínez – F, Edin Dzeko – CF
COACH: Simone Inzaghi

  1. Barcelona FC, Spain, Ranked 5th in 2020-2021

Is there a transfer window in recent history that has been more disruptive than Barcelona’s wretched few months? Last season, they had an offensive centered on Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembele. Now that the former two are gone and the latter is injured, Ronald Koeman might field assaults centered on Luuk De Jong, Martin Braithwaite, and Memphis Depay. None of them are awful players, and the latter appears to be a great buy after his Lyon deal expires, but the mighty have fallen.

But it’s not just Messi and Griezmann who have left. It’s the equivalent of an NFL team losing their standout quarterback and wide receiver duo. Consider them squandering a first-round choice on a song. Barcelona could have done the same with Moriba if they had been unable or unable to match the wage demands of one of their most promising young players.
TEAM: Marc-André ter Stegen – GK, Sergiño Dest – RB, Eric García – CB, Gerard Piqué – CB, Jordi Alba – LB, Pedri – M, Frenkie de Jong – M, Sergio Busquets – M, Sergi Roberto – M, Ansu Fati – F, Memphis Depay – F
COACH: Ronald Koeman

  1. Borussia Dortmund, Germany, Ranked 18th in 2020-2021

The departure of Jadon Sancho was virtually baked in, so evident was it that the narrative of last summer would be wrapped up soon. Dortmund already had substitutes in their team, ranging from Giovanni Reyna to Thorgan Hazard. There’s plenty of attacking potential to work with when Donyell Malen is added to the mix.

The installation of a trustworthy No. 1 may be the most significant of all. If Gregor Kobel, a former Stuttgart goalkeeper, proves to be that, the days when Roman Burki and Marwin Hitz were true headaches between the posts will be a distant memory. Last season, the Swiss goalkeeper made over 100 saves in the Bundesliga, conceding somewhat less goals than he should have, according to Opta’s goals prevented metric. He could be a valuable addition to Marco Rose’s team.
TEAM: Gregor Kobel – GK, Thomas Meunier-RB, Mats Hummels – CB, Manuel Akanji – CB, Raphaël Guerreiro – LB, Jude Bellingham – M, Axel Witsel – M, Emre Can – M, Thorgan Hazard – M, Erling Haaland – F, Marco Reus – F
COACH: Marco Rose

  1. Napoli, Italy, Ranked in 16th in 2020-2021

Napoli missed out on the top four and a place in the 2021-22 Champions League by a single point last season, despite only losing one of their last 16 Serie A games and finishing the season on a nine-match undefeated streak. A 1-1 tie with Verona at home on the penultimate day of the season confirmed their fate, as they relinquished a lead at home.

Given the summer’s financial limits, returning to the top four will be extremely difficult this season. Although a title challenge appears unlikely, the Azzurri are one of the early favorites for the Europa League and could have a strong showing there.
TEAM: David Ospina – GK, Giovanni Di Lorenzo – RB, Kalidou Koulibaly – CB, Amir Rrahmani – CB, Mário Rui6 – LB, Eljif Elmas – M, Fabián Ruiz – M, Piotr Zielinski – M, Lorenzo Insigne – F, Victor Osimhen – F, Hirving Lozano – F
COACH: Luciano Spalletti

  1. Ajax, Netherlands, Ranked 3rd in 2020-2021

A pleasant summer in Amsterdam, when none of Erik ten Haag’s best and brightest were chosen. The loss of Brian Brobbey for nothing is unfortunate, but given what the transfer window may entail for Ajax, it is not a major setback. With the arrival of highly rated young forward Mohamed Daramy from Copenhagen, the Dutch champions may have reason to hope they have improved their assault.
TEAM: Maarten Stekelenburg – GK, Noussair Mazraoui – RB, Jurriën Timber – CB, Lisandro Martínez – CB, Daley Blind – LB, Ryan Gravenberch – M, Edson Álvarez – M, Dusan Tadic – M, David Neres – F, Sébastien Haller – F, Antony – F
COACH: Erik ten Hag

  1. Real Madrid, Spain, Ranked 10th in 2020-2021

They should be praised for both what they did and what they didn’t do. Not signing Kylian Mbappe is generally not a wise course of action, but if it means paying one of the largest transfer fees in history for a player you can sign to a pre-contract agreement on January 1, then it is by far the better course of action, even if it appears to be PSG’s intransigence rather than Madrid’s shrewd dealings that has led them there.

Away from Mbappe, the situation is a little more complicated. Carlo Ancelotti’s defense has been slightly weakened by his decision to replace Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane with David Alaba and Eder Militao (together with the returning Granada loanee Jesus Vallejo). When there were so few other periphery players with significant worth in the present market, cashing in on Martin Odegaard was definitely the best move.

Eduardo Camavinga may out to be the most important addition to the window. With clubs all over Europe waiting for his Rennes contract to expire next summer, Madrid snatched him up for a six-year deal worth roughly $35 million. Despite his struggles last season, he is still an 18-year-old France international who has the potential to be a crucial cog in the Santiago Bernabeu midfield for a decade.
TEAM: Thibaut Courtois – GK, Dani Carvaja – RB, Nacho – CB, Éder Militão – CB, David Alaba – LB, Eden Hazard – M, Casemiro – M, Toni Kroos – M, Luka Modric – M, Karim Benzema – F, Vinícius Júnior – F
COACH: Carlo Ancelotti

  1. Juventus, Italy, Ranked 4th in 2020-2021

How do you evaluate the departure of one of the finest players in the world when his company was so eager to let him go? Juventus will be without a top-flight finisher after Ronaldo’s departure, and Moise Kean and Alvaro Morata will not be convincing quick alternatives. Still moving forward from three disastrous seasons with their No.7, they now have more options for the future and have begun a long-overdue reconstruction.

Luca Pellegrini might replace the ageing Alex Sandro at left back, and Manuel Locatelli will bring elan to a midfield that has been a shell of its former self. Meanwhile, if scouting reports on Kaio Jorge are accurate, Juventus may not have to wait long to find a talismanic post-Ronaldo striker.
TEAM: Wojciech Szczesny- GK, Mattia De Sciglio – RB, Giorgio Chiellini – CB, Matthijs de Ligt – CB, Alex Sandro – LB, Paulo Dybala – M, Weston McKennie – M, Manuel Locatelli – M, Juan Cuadrado – M, Álvaro Morata – F, Federico Chiesa – F
COACH: Massimiliano Allegri

  1. Atletico Madrid, Spain, Ranked 13th in 2020-2021

Atletico Madrid have made three high-quality signings to Diego Simeone’s side in order to improve on last season’s title win, with just the increasingly peripheral option Saul departing. Rodrigo De Paul brings a level of finesse and propulsion to the midfield that Saul lacks, but this team appears to have made significant strides forward.

Matheus Cunha’s arrival provides Simeone with a dribbling threat who can also generate fouls, while Antoine Griezmann’s return on loan with a $47 million buy obligation next season appears to be a coup. If the Frenchman is half the player he was when he departed in 2019, this is a fantastic deal for Atletico, who paid $142 million for him in the summer of 2019. With Joao Felix remaining at the club, this should be a strong offense capable of going all the way in the Champions League.
TEAM: Jan Oblak – GK, Mario Hermoso – RB, Stefan Savic – CB, Renan Lodi – CB, Kieran Trippier – RB Yannick Carrasco – M, Koke – M, Thomas Lemar – M, João Félix – F, Luis Suárez –F, Antoine Griezmann – F
COACH: Diego Simeone

  1. Manchester United, UK, Ranked 12th in 2020-2021

Manchester United finished the transfer window with two additions that they really needed and one that they most likely didn’t. Even so, it helps when the latter is one of the game’s best pure scorers. You might be able to get by without Cristiano Ronaldo if you have Edinson Cavani on your team, but there will undoubtedly be games that the latter will win for you.

Nonetheless, their draw with Southampton and unimpressive win over Wolverhampton Wanderers highlighted the underlying faults at the heart of this United team, which still lacks a dominant midfielder. They’ll keep an eye on Declan Rice, but they could have used a more immediate signing to fit into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 4-3-3 blueprint.
TEAM: David de Gea – GK, Aaron Wan-Bissaka –RB, Raphaël Varane –CB, Harry Maguire – CB, Luke Shaw –LB, Bruno Fernandes – M, Paul Pogba – M, Nemanja Matic – M, Mason Greenwood – M, Marcus Rashford – F, Cristiano Ronaldo – F
COACH:Ole Gunnar Solskjær

  1. Chelsea, UK, Ranked 9th in 2020-2021

Last season, the European champions had a void in their lineup. They addressed it in the most remarkable way possible with the purchase of Romelu Lukaku, even if his return to Stamford Bridge does serve as a monument to Chelsea’s incapacity to recognize potential early in their careers.

With the addition of Saul Niguez on loan from Atletico Madrid, Thomas Tuchel now has one of Europe’s most fearsome midfield quartets; the same could be said for Thomas Tuchel’s possibilities at center back if Jules Kounde had been obtained. He does, however, have plenty of choices in that position, as he does throughout the pitch. It’s even more astonishing that this was accomplished while earning a profit thanks to the sales of Tammy Abraham to Roma, Kurt Zouma to West Ham, and a slew of other periphery players (some of whom, like Victor Moses, you’d be forgiven for being surprised were still technically Chelsea goods)
TEAM: Édouard Mendy – GK, Reece James – RB, Thiago Silva – CB, Antonio Rüdiger – CB, César Azpilicueta – LB, Kai Havertz – M, Jorginho – M, N’Golo Kanté – M, Mason Mount – M, Timo Werner F, Romelu Lukaku – F
COACH: Thomas Tuchel

  1. Manchester City, UK, Ranked 1st in 2020-2021

They aren’t the only ones that think this way. City really don’t need a striker as much as people think — Ferran Torres is doing a job that Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne could do as well — but it’s still great to have a player with Premier League experience leading the line. It’s also good to have a player with the same creative spark as Jack Grealish, but Pep Guardiola had a lot of players in his position that were similar. While others have surged forward, the English champions are likely to stay there.
TEAM: Ederson – GK, Kyle Walker – RB, Aymeric Laporte- CB, Rúben Dias – CB, João Cancelo – LB, Bernardo Silva – M, Rodri – M, Kevin De Bruyne – M, Raheem Sterling – F, Gabriel Jesus – F, Jack Grealish – F
COACH: Pep Guardiola

  1. Liverpool, UK, Ranked 19th in 2020-2021

Simply getting back all of the players who were injured last season should help Liverpool become a more potent force, while adding Ibrahima Konate to their defensive choices strengthens that area of the pitch, with the Frenchman competing for minutes against Joe Gomez and Joel Matip. Many questions have been raised in the wake of Georginio Wijnaldum’s departure, although the emergence of Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones has lessened the impact.

The largest source of concern for Jurgen Klopp could be further up the pitch, where there is a lack of depth. Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will at the very least miss the Africa Cup of Nations, while Roberto Firmino is expected to miss the tournament owing to a hamstring injury. Diogo Jota can fill the void for one of them, but not for two or more. Liverpool appears to be a bright spot on the horizon.
TEAM: Alisson – GK, Trent Alexander-Arnold – RB, Virgil van Dijk – CB, Joël Matip – CB, Andy Robertson – LB, Curtis Jones – M, Fabinho – M, Jordan Henderson – M, Sadio Mané – F, Roberto Firmino – F, Mohamed Salah – F
COACH: Jürgen Klopp

  1. Paris Saint Germain, France, Ranked 7th in 2020-2021

Much of the adoration on social media was a little excessive for one of the few clubs that can afford the kind of exorbitant wages that allow them to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Lionel Messi without having to pay a fee. There is no such thing as a free move, after all. However, no other team has made quite the same leap across the pitch as PSG.

Despite how impressive last season’s Champions League run was, it sometimes felt like it was all about Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. This side now has quality all over it: more world-class talent up top, a midfield that isn’t wholly reliant on Marco Verratti’s fitness, and a defense with experience. It will be some time before Mauricio Pochettino can turn that group into a coherent entity, but no galaxy of stars glows brighter.
TEAM: Gianluigi Donnarumma – GK, Achraf Hakimi – RB, Sergio Ramos – CB, Marquinhos – CB, Abdou Diallo – LB, Marco Verratti – M, Idrissa Gueye – M, Georginio Wijnaldum – M, Neymar – F, Lionel Messi – F, Kylian Mbappé – F
COACH: Mauricio Pochettino

  1. FC Bayern Munich, Germany, Ranked 2nd in 2020-2021

Bayern Munich had a somewhat unimpressive window in which they only replaced two long-term mainstays of their defense, Jerome Boateng and David Alaba, with Dayot Upamecano and only recruited Marcel Sabitzer, a former RB Leipzig comrade. Their starting XI is still excellent, but Julian Nagelsmann must be aware that in crucial places, he is only a few injuries away from facing truly difficult situations.

Bayern could have done more if they wanted to compete with English clubs and PSG in the later stages of last season’s Champions League
TEAM: Manuel Neuer – GK, Alphonso Davies – RB, Dayot Upamecano – CB, Niklas Süle – CB, Lucas Hernández – LB, Serge Gnabry – M, Marcel Sabitzer – M, Joshua Kimmich – M, Thomas Müller F, Robert Lewandowski – F, Leroy Sané – F
COACH: Julian Nagelsmann

Back to School in 2021

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Back to School in 2021 around the world is mind puzzling. A mind puzzle without a clear picture of where do these pieces go. It is perhaps the greatest challenge 21st century educators will face.

The fact that during the pandemic, schools around the world were closed, putting more than 1.6 billion students out of school. Between March 2020 and February 2021, almost 214 million children – or one in every seven – missed over three-quarters of in-person learning, according to a UNICEF estimate.

Governments across Europe have debated when to close and reopen schools, calculating the risk of children transmitting the virus at school against the economic and educational inconveniences that keeping them at home would cause.

An analysis of global research finds that collected data after January 2021 reveals that there is evidence of transmission in schools and daycares around the world. Masking, cohorting, canceling higher-risk activities, distancing, hygiene standards, lower class size, and improved ventilation all helped to keep transmission to a minimum.

So many governments have tried to follow this science and have attempted to keep schools open as much as possible since the beginning of the outbreak to avoid children losing access to education. On the other hand, teachers’ unions have attempted to keep the schools closed.

What are our options?

To assist countries in planning, prioritizing, and ensuring that all students return to school; that schools take all necessary precautions to reopen safely; that students receive effective remedial learning and comprehensive services to help them recover learning losses and improve their overall welfare; and that their teachers are prepared and supported to meet their students’ learning needs.

While trying to fine-tune interventions to improve the chances of children in kindergarten through grade 12 thriving and remaining physically and mentally well while learning in person.

Despite this, several countries, particularly the United Kingdom, are adamant about getting children back into classrooms after 18 months of lockdowns, remote learning, and canceled exams. Since early 2020, British schools have stopped for three months on two occasions, and key year-end exams have been canceled two years in a row, causing havoc with university admissions.

Masks were applied inconsistently throughout Europe and the United Kingdom when the epidemic hit worst in 2020-21 due to a lack of evidence on mask use and effectiveness in young children.

So What is the Solution?

Vaccination remains the most efficient and long-lasting method of preventing infectious illnesses. Vaccine mandates and other measures aimed at increasing vaccine coverage in schools for all students who are eligible, including instructors and older children, appear to be the most effective strategies for reducing transmission.

Many other governments are debating whether to follow the lead of the United States, Canada, and many European countries in vaccinating everyone aged 12 and up.

In contrast to the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain retain social distance and masks for students and employees. Turkey and Greece, like Italy, require teachers to produce proof of vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test.

Low vaccination rates and epidemics have made it difficult to get children back to school after a year and a half of the Balkan countries, which are among Europe’s poorest.

Because so many children and staff members became ill or had direct contact with individuals who were infected, many schools have closed or switched to online learning.

Teaching is Serious Business

In numerous countries, teachers’ unions have opposed obligatory vaccinations for school employees. Protests in Italy against the government’s “green pass” vaccine passport scheme have been marred by violence, including punching in the face of a reporter on national TV.

Teachers’ unions have long claimed that schools are too dangerous for teachers, who may get the virus and spread it to their communities and vulnerable individuals. Even when governments deemed it safe to open or partially open schools, unions exerted great pressure on governments to close them. When unions were dissatisfied with government action, they attempted to prevent their members from returning to work by filing lawsuits, issuing strike threats, and organizing strikes and large rallies to force governments to postpone school reopenings.

There hasn’t been a thorough examination of how many European schools were shuttered as a result of union pressure rather than medical advice. The well-organized and resourceful European teachers unions have strived to be at the forefront of political choices regarding whether or not to send children back to school. However, how union demands for health and safety measures are implemented and how much authority they have differed by country.

The Conclusion

In the United States, the start of the new school year has also sparked heated debates between parents and administrators over mask requirements, which have occasionally erupted into violence.

Although European countries appear to be less politicized, tensions over masks and vaccines are escalating in places like Poland, where school administrators are ready for parental opposition.

Parents say children are stressed out enough as it is, returning after the lockdown.

It will be difficult for many countries to ensure that all students, particularly girls, refugees, and other vulnerable groups, return to school.

In fact, in schools in Africa and Asia, very few schools can offer online learning. Therefore, proving there is a real social gap. That says these children are second class, and if they want to learn they must put their lives on the line.

Therefore, making Back to School in 2021-20022, a mind puzzle without a clear picture of where all these pieces will go.

Education Olympic Games 2020 Final Results

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Education Olympic Games 2020 Final Results

A nail-biting finish. Who Won China, South Korea, Mexico, or Russia?

The first Global Academic Awards ended this week. The results show some countries are determined to be the best, while others are behind in their organizational structure, have poor leadership, and suffer from a lack of communication from the local and national government levels.

What was on display during this competition was a disconnect of how important it is to gather, maintain, and update education data. It is not something you should do, but what you must do in the 21st century. If not you are begging for failure and a crumbling government.

Below is a breakdown of the final three rounds of the Global Academic Awards. There were many surprises and unbelievable outcomes. Nevertheless, it points to countries that have a better grip on their future, and guarantee to become world leaders in the 21st century.

Second Round- 12 Countries

China made a strong move to the top, by leading Group 2 and 3. This featured four other major education powers – South Korea, United Kingdom, Russia, and Japan.

In Group 1 and 4, winner Chile came out of South America as the leader and leads countries from North America, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Here are the results:

Second Round Group Winners

Group 1 and 4
1 Chile
2 Mexico
3 Kenya
4 Argentina
5 Ghana
6 Dominican Republic

Group 2 and 3
1 China
2 Russia
3 South Korea
4 Japan
5 United Kingdom
6 France

Semi-Final Round6 Countries

Russia became the Global Academic Awards overall leader in the competition in the Semi-Final round.

South Korea and China also advanced from Group 2 and 3. Mexico, Chile, and Kenya came out of Group 1 and 4.

Semi-Final Round Group Winners

1 Russia
2 South Korea
3 China
4 Mexico
5 Chile
6 Kenya

Final Round – 4 Countries

The medal round produces the biggest excitement of the competition with South Korea and Russia needing the pandemic decider.

Medal Rounds Results

China won the Gold medal in Early Childhood Development.

Early Childhood Education Results

GOLD: China
SILVER: South Korea
BRONZE; Russia
BRONZE: Mexico

For student preparation for children 6 to 11, Russia won the Gold for Primary Education.

Primary Education Results

GOLD: Russia
SILVER: Mexico
BRONZE: South Korea
BRONZE: China

South Korea won the Gold Medal in Lower-Secondary Education.

Lower-Secondary Education Results

GOLD: South Korea
SILVER: Russia
BRONZE: China
BRONZE: Mexico

The transition development for students into early adulthood was won by Russia via a Gold Medal in High School Graduations.

High School Education Results

GOLD: Russia
SILVER: South Korea
BRONZE: China
BRONZE: Mexico

China won the Gold Medal in College Completion Rates.

College Education Results

GOLD: China
SILVER: South Korea
BRONZE: Russia
BRONZE: Mexico

Russia and South Korea tied for the most medal points won in the Global Academic Awards competitions with both countries achieving 10 apiece.

Total Medals

Russia 10
South Korea 10
China 8
Mexico 2

The overall winner of the competition had to be decided by a tie-breaker. The School Safe level of each country was used as a tie-breaker.

TIE-BREAKER

SCHOOL SAFE LEVEL

South Korea 13
Russia 12

South Korea has a School Safe rating of 13, while Russia has a School Safe rating of 12. South Korea was named the inaugural winner of the Global Academic Awards competition.

OVERALL MEDALS

GOLD: South Korea
SILVER: Russia
BRONZE: China
BRONZE: Mexico

What is Next?

In France in 2024, every country on the planet will have an opportunity to show their wares. Who is committed to change, stay the same, or continue to fail their population? The World Top 20 Project will be watching.

Education Olympics Games 2020

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Education Olympics Games 2020

Who is winning the minds of our children?

The first three rounds of the Global Academic Awards rounds are complete – Intercontinental, Continental, and First. Only 12 nations remain.

Major nations have already been eliminated, and several less-known nations have made it through.

The final three rounds will answer the question, “Which nation has the best education system?”

Reviews of the first three rounds are below.

Intercontinental Contest- All Countries

Finland and Denmark, two of the world’s best educated countries did not advance. Nigeria, Africa’s largest nation, and India, Asia’s second-largest country also failed to advance.

South Korea, Russia, Chile, and Mexico look strong. Here are the early results:

Africa

Eastern Africa
Winners
1.Kenya
2.Seychelles
3.Ethiopia

Eastern Africa – Projected winners where Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

Central Africa
Winners
1.Sao Tome and Principe
2.Cameroon
3.Chad

Central Africa – Projected winners where Sao Tome and Principe, Gabon, and Cameroon

Northern Africa
Winners
1.Algeria
2.Egypt
3.Sudan

Northern Africa – Projected winners where Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia

Southern Africa
Winners
1.Lesotho
2.South Africa
3.eSwatini

Southern Africa – Projected winners where South Africa, Namibia, and eSwatini

Western Africa
Winners
1.Ghana
2.Guinea-Bissau
3.Senegal

Western Africa – Projected winners where Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone

Asia

East Asia
Winners
1.South Korea
2.Japan
3.China

East Asia – Projected winners where China, Japan, and South Korea

Central Asia
Winners
1.Kyrgyzstan
2.Uzbekistan
3.Tajikistan

Central Asia – Projected winners where Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan

South Asia
Winners
1.Nepal
2.Bangladesh
3.Sri Lanka

South Asia – Projected winners where India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka

Southeast Asia
Winners
1.Indonesia
2.Singapore
3.Cambodia

Southeast Asia – Projected winners where Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam

Western Asia
Winners
1.Israel
2.Saudi Arabia
3.Palestine

Western Asia – Projected winners where Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait

Oceania

Australasia
Winners
1.New Zealand
2.Australia
3.Fiji

Australasia Oceania– Projected winners where Australia, New Zealand, and the Solomon Islands

Micronesia
Winners
1.Kiribati
2.Nauru
3.Palau

Micronesia Oceania– Projected winners where Kiribati, Nauru, and Palau
Polynesia
Winners
1.Samoa Tokelau (NZ)
2.Tonga
3.Tuvalu

Polynesia Oceania – Projected winners where Tuvalu, Samoa, Tokelau, and American Samoa

Europe

Northern Europe
Winners
1.United Kingdom
2.Sweden
3.Ireland

Northern Europe – Projected winners where Finland, Denmark, and the United Kingdom

Southern Europe
Winners
1.Croatia
2.France
3.Serbia

Southern Europe – Projected winners where France, Belgium, and Italy

Eastern Europe
Winners
1.Russia
2.Germany
3.Kazakhstan

Eastern Europe – Projected winners where Russia, Germany and Poland

North America

Winners
1.Mexico
2.Canada
3.United States

North America – Projected winners where USA, Canada, and Mexico

The Caribbean

Winners
1.Dominican Republic
2.Aruba (Neth)
3.British Virgin Islands (UK)

The Caribbean – Projected winners where Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the British Virgin Islands

Central America

Winners
1.Guatemala
2.El Salvador
3.Belize

Central America – Projected winners where Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Belize

South America

Winners
1.Chile
2.Colombia
3.Argentina

South America – Projected winners where Brazil, Chile, and Argentina

Continental Round60 Countries

Three countries from each continent advance to the round. Israel, Singapore, and Germany were major countries to not advance.

Countries like the Dominican Republic, Kiribati, and El Salvador won their continent. This shows their education data collection systems are well established.

Africa

Winners
1.Kenya
2.Ghana
3.Egypt

Asia

Winners
1.South Korea
2.Japan
3.China

Europe

Winners
1.Russia
2.United Kingdom
3.France

Central America

Winners
1.El Salvador
2.Guatemala
3.Belize

North America

Winners
1.Mexico
2.United States
3.Canada

South America

Winners
1.Chile
2.Argentina
3.Colombia

The Caribbean

Winners
1.Dominican Republic
2.Aruba (Neth)
3.British Virgin Islands (UK)

Oceania

Winners
1.Kiribati
2.New Zealand
3.Australia

 

First Round -24 Countries

As the competition advance to the international stage, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand are missing education data ended their chances to go on.

Two group leaders, who are not viewed as strong nations, Kenya and Chile, are still alive for the medal rounds.

First Round Winners

Group 1

1.Kenya
2.Ghana
3.Dominican Republic

Group 2

1.Chile
2.Mexico
3.Argentina

Group 3

1.South Korea
2.Japan
3.China

Group 4

1.Russia
2.United Kingdom
3.France

Next month’s article will reveal the final two rounds – Second, Semi-Finals, and the Medal Round.

The Olympic Games for Education – The Global Academic Awards

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The Olympic Games for Education – The Global Academic Awards

Over 200 nations compete this summer, to see who has the best education system in the world.

The world’s greatest sporting event, the Summer Olympics Games will take place next month, a year late because of COVID-19. As countries compete to see who is the best in swimming, gymnastics, track and field, boxing, and archery.

The world will be exposed to a new event to see what nation has the best early childhood, primary, lower-secondary, high school, and college education levels.

You say education is not a sport. Not a show of endurance training and dedication. I say you are a fool not to think so.

The time has come for nations to face the reality education is the most important feet to accomplish and behold. Where nations can be tested and admired for their commitment, to stand alone for developing the best of the best.

The Award’s competition was born to support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Initiative that asks nations to improve the lives of the people in their country by the year 2030.

The UN’s SDG education mission is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Well, the Global Academic Awards will test each nation’s ability to accomplish those talents.

And you have a front-row see to see who comes out on top this summer.

Who Are You?

In the Global Academic Awards, no one individual or team represents their country. It is not that simple. It will be the whole government and their system to develop human capital. That means our children, teachers, and schools’ performance will determine who is the winner and losers.

The participants in this competition will be the nation’s current education statistics from – early childhood enrollment rates, primary completion rates, lower-secondary completion rates, high school graduation rates, and college graduation rates.

Using basic percentage calculations and sorting each nation’s data into sections. The data represent reported international data for Primary and Lower-Secondary education levels from 2015 to 2018, by WDI and UNESCO. From 2016 through 2018, the Early Childhood, High School, and College education data were collected by the OECD and UNESCO.

The data come from each country’s self-reporting to the UN’s from the above-mentioned international educational data collection platforms.

So the data are the latest reported education data, according to each nation.

Let the Games Commence

The Global Academic Awards winners are chosen based on the education data they present and how it compares to that of other countries.

To reach the awards, the nation that successfully completes its geographical area competition must compete in five rounds.

The format is as follows:

Intercontinental – All Countries
Continental Round- 60 Countries
First Round- 24 Countries
Second Round – 12 Countries
Semi-Final Round- 6 Countries
Medal Round – 4 Countries

The eight continents where the tournament begins are Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America, North America, South America, Oceania, and the Caribbean.

Sixty countries are eligible to advance to the Continental round.

The first round will be contested by twenty-four nations from the continent round. After that, 12 countries will advance to the second round. The top six countries from the second round advance to the semi-finals. Winner medals will be awarded to the four countries with the highest educational levels and overall point total.

Who Will Be Our Winners?

Awards are a way of recognizing someone’s accomplishments. Of attaining a level that no one else has. The goal of the Global Academic Awards is to inspire and encourage nations to achieve greatness, which will need everyone’s participation. Everyone, no matter how big or small, can contribute to success.

Education will capture the nation’s attention and make its presence felt in 2021. It will never be underestimated again!

We want to know the outcomes wherever a book can be opened, from Africa’s scorching heat to Antarctica’s cold permafrost.

Predictions about who will win begin at the local level, progressing to the region, and then to the global stage.

This is where we begin: Africa.

Africa is divided into five geographical regions. Three countries will advance to the Continent round from each area. The most stable countries in the eastern part of the country are Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Sao Tome and Principe, Gabon, and Cameroon, are located in Central Africa, are the most stable countries in that region.

Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia, all from the northern part of Africa, are powerful nations on the continent. South Africa, Namibia, and the formal nation known as Swaziland – eSwatini – are all countries in Southern Africa that should have excellent educational systems. Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone should be the representatives from Western Africa.

Ghana, Kenya, and Egypt should be the three countries that emerge from the Continent round and represent Africa. These three countries have the most advanced educational infrastructure in the region.

Asia

Asia, like Africa, is divided into five major geographical regions. Powerhouse nations like China, Japan, and South Korea dominate the East, and they should represent the region. Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are solid countries in Central Asia that should advance. India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka should be given priority in South Asia.

Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait should qualify for the Continent round from Southeast and Western Asia.

South Korea, Japan, and China should be the three Asian countries represented.

Europe

Europe is divided into three geographical zones. Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Iceland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are among the northern countries. However, only three countries can proceed. Finland, Denmark, and the United Kingdom are the countries we expect to continue.

From the south, it appears that France, Belgium, and Italy have the upper hand. Russia is a shoo-in from Eastern Europe, but Germany and Poland should move on as well.

Russia, Finland, and Denmark are expected to be the three countries representing Europe.

North America

Only four teams can qualify to compete in the Global Academic Awards. So the three countries favored representing the Continent are – the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

South America

Like North America, there will only be the Continent Round winners representing them in the next round. The three favors to move on are Brazil, Chile, and Argentina.

Central America

Only three winners of the Continent Round advance to the next round of the competition. Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Belize are the three predicted winners.

Oceania

Oceania is divided into three geographical areas. Australia, New Zealand, and the Solomon Islands are the selections from Australasia. Kiribati, Nauru, and Palau are expected to advance from Micronesia. Tuvalu, Samoa, Tokelau, and American Samoa are expected to win the Polynesia region.

Australia, New Zealand, and Kiribati are expected to be the three Continent winners.

The Caribbean

The three countries expected to represent the Caribbean are Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the British Virgin Islands.

The Countdown to the Finals

Countries move on to the international stages after completing their continental rounds. Countries will be seeded from their Continentals in the first round.

This year’s seeding is as follows:

  1. Africa
  2. Asia
  3. Europe
  4. North America
  5. South America
  6. Central America
  7. Oceania
  8. The Caribbean

Then placed in four groups:
1 vs. 8
2 vs. 7
3 vs. 6
4 vs. 5

Ghana, Kenya, and Egypt are expected to be the top three nations in Groups 1 and 8. All three Asian nations – South Korea, Japan, and China – should win Groups 2 and 7. All three European nations – Russia, Finland, and Denmark – should be in the top three in Groups 3 and 6. In Groups 4 and 5, the United States, Canada, and Chile should advance to the next round.

The nations in Groups 1 and 8 and Groups 4 and 5 will compete:
Ghana, Kenya, and Egypt, the United States, Canada, and Chile

The nations in Groups 2 and 7 and Groups 3 and 6 will compete:

South Korea, Japan, and China, Russia, Finland, and Denmark

The Semi-Finals are expected to feature Group 1 and 8 and Group 4 and 5 winners – the United States, Canada, and Chile. Finland, South Korea, and Russia are expected to be the winners from Groups 2 and 7, and Groups 3 and 6.

The Final Six

All six countries will be matched in the Semi-Final Round, with four countries advancing to the medal rounds.

You have Finland, which has been voted the best educated country in the world for the past decade. Four out of seven years, the annual World Top 20 Education Poll has named South Korea as having the strongest education system. Next, we have the United States, which spends over $700 billion a year on education.

Because of their history of educational innovation dating back to the first century, Russia may have the best chance of earning the first gold medal at The Global Academic Awards. How about Canada, which has boosted its investment in modern educational technology? Last but not least, Chile, a rising force in Latin America, where does it stand in terms of educational growth?

Who will win the gold medal in Early Childhood, Primary, Lower-Secondary, High School, and College education levels? Only six countries hold the answer to that question.

Which country will win the overall medal count and points to be declared the best educated country in the world? We will find out on August 22, 2021.

DATA SOURCE:

The international data used was collected from the following sources:

  1. Early Childhood Enrollment Rate – the number of 3 and 5-year old children in the country that were enrolled in early education. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) & United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics
  2. Primary School Completion Rate – the percentage of 6 to 11-year old that completed 5 years of education in their country. World Development Indicators (WDI) & United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics
  3. Secondary School Completion Rate – the percentage of 12 to 14-year old that completed 8 years of education in their country. World Development Indicators (WDI) & United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics
  4. High School Graduation Rate – the percentage of 15 to 18-year old that completed 12 years of education in their country. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) & United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics
  5. College Graduation Rate – the percentage of 19 to 24-year old that completed 13 years or more of education in their country. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) & United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics