Illustrations: Google 

YES: Every kindergartner in NYC's public school system will now get $1,000 automatically deposited into a college savings account. No paperwork, no forms to  fill out. It just happens. Every year.  The city says it's now the largest universal college savings program in the country, and one of the most effective ways to  address income inequality.

And there is more! In the USA, Mayor Mamdani’s budget deal also restores programs that almost got cut under the current administration: Mental health clinics in 50 schools across the South Bronx and Brooklyn, support for students with sensory disabilities, restorative justice training, translation services for immigrant families, and college-prep centers for high schoolers. Real money, going to real kids who needed it.  The current administration has spent the past year proposing billions in cuts to federal education funding, holding back money Congress already approved, and pushing to shut down the Department of Education altogether. 

One government is building a college fund for five-year-olds. The other is trying to dismantle public education nationwide.

In addition, Scandinavia and several other countries are pulling back on classroom tech. Denmark, the poster child for digital-first classrooms, is changing course and bringing back paper textbooks, physical notebooks, and manual penmanship. The focus has shifted to manual writing: Teachers are re-prioritizing pen-and-paper note-taking to rebuild attention spans and improve reading scores.

Why Digital learning failed:

1. Studies revealed constant screen switching lowered students' ability to improve memory, sustain deep focus and retain concepts.

2. Heavy reliance on computer/tablet-based reading coincided with notable drops in core literacy scores. 3/Digital fatigue: Students report higher engagement and lower eye strain when studying from physical print rather than screens.

Smartphones Banned: An increasing number of countries now restrict personal phones and distraction-heavy devices during school hours. The goal is to reduce distractions, improve focus and encourage better social interaction. Nearly 1 Billion Students in 106 countries now have school cell phone bans - according to UNESCO report in Aug 2026

Globally, Meditation and Yoga are taking a lead not just in schools but also in businesses and homes to reduce stress and improve physical and mental health.

 
Sister Chirya is a student and teacher with the Brahma Kumari's World Spiritual University for over 40 years. She is published globally.