Years after graduating from Belmore elementary school, a former student continues to seek support, advice, and encouragement from teacher Charlene Arrendes.
One reason Arrendes was nominated as an Unofficial Hero of Cape Argus during Mandela Month is that her support for children extends far beyond the classroom.
She runs the 'Care Closet,' where needy children can freely select school uniforms and clothing, helping them attend school with dignity and confidence. Furthermore, she leads various projects: 'Sow-a-Sandwich,' which provides sandwiches to hungry children; 'Sanitary Savvy,' which supplies girls with hygiene products; and 'Sole Mates,' aimed at helping provide school shoes to children in the Hanover Park area.
However, her consistent care for former students stands out. According to the nomination, Arrendes maintains contact with many of her past students, assisting them with homework, checking on their progress in high school, and even helping parents with online applications.
One former student shared his opinion: 'I am in high school now, but my teacher always finds ways to include me and my former classmates. I like that even after leaving her class, I haven't left her life. I am her student forever.'
Arrendes received this nomination as part of the Cape Argus Unsung Heroes campaign for the positive difference she continues to make in the lives of her community's children.
At a session in New Delhi, Congress leader and opposition head in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, stated on Saturday that India's education system must be 'rebuilt from scratch' to create a safe, student-centric environment. He emphasized that repeated instances of exam paper leaks have caused irreparable harm to many families.
Sharing a video recording from the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' rally in Dehradun, held on Friday, the Congress MP recalled his meeting with Rajesh Kumar, the father of Riya Kumari. Riya Kumari allegedly committed suicide after the NEET-UG exam was canceled in May amid allegations of material leakage.
In his post on X, Rahul wrote: 'Rajesh ji, Riya's father, was so broken by the loss of his daughter that it brought tears to everyone who saw him. This is not the pain of one family; the leak of papers has deprived many such families of their children.'
He added that the system must be completely rebuilt so that children feel safe instead of stressed, and parents receive recognition for their sacrifices, not tears.
Speaking at the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' rally in Dehradun on Friday, the former Congress president asserted that exam paper leaks have become a systemic problem and called for political consensus to resolve it. He stated that approximately 75 million students have been affected by leaks over the last decade.
Gandhi blamed the entire educational ecosystem—from coaching centers and examination venues to setters, translators, transporters, suppliers, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the Ministry of Education. He noted that despite the rise in corruption cases, no action against the culprits, including convictions, has been taken.
He also argued that the existing examination model is outdated and requires a complete update. Gandhi stressed that the current system is examiner-, government-, and testing-oriented, whereas what is needed is a flexible, student-centric system. He proposed implementing a secure question bank and randomized exam papers using technology, similar to what is done in GMAT and other tests.
Furthermore, Rahul insisted that educational institutions should not be subjected to political influence, asserting that no political party or organization should control them. He advocated for broader political consensus on preventing leaks, viewing it as a collective responsibility rather than a partisan dispute.
The Congress MP's statements on Saturday came a day after meeting Riya's father during the event in Dehradun, where the grieving parent urged him to raise the issue in Parliament to prevent similar tragedies for other families. The Congress leader launched the nationwide 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' campaign from Kota, Rajasthan, on June 17 to draw attention to exam malpractice issues and the difficulties faced by students. During the program in Dehradun, he also stated that advanced technologies are being used to facilitate leaks, and that 152 such incidents have occurred over the last decade without any convictions.
Quotas for admission to higher education institutions for the upcoming academic year have been approved. According to the decision of the State Commission, 155,852 places were allocated for full-time bachelor's degree programs and 22,050 places for master's programs in state universities.
Additionally, quotas were established for evening and distance learning bachelor's programs, amounting to 28,942 and 20,810 places, respectively, and for master's programs—1,393 and 892 places.
By the commission's decision, state grants in the fields of information technology and artificial intelligence have been increased by 35 percent. Special attention is paid to areas such as mechanical engineering, information technology, pedagogy, and the agricultural sector, which have been designated as priority areas.
Separate grant quotas have been maintained for specific categories of citizens, including persons with disabilities, orphans, military personnel, children of law enforcement officers' employees, families from the 'Social Register', as well as for women.
YouGov policy director Wells pointed out that one of the biggest weaknesses of former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was the difficulty in communicating effectively with the public and defending complex measures, such as tax increases, or presenting a unifying vision for the country.
In contrast, Andy Burnham, who took over the leadership of the Labour Party on Friday, is praised for his ability to demonstrate empathy and build rapport with voters. Wells commented that expressing emotions and perceiving people's difficulties is positive, as it establishes a connection with the public.
Although Wells acknowledges that Burnham does not possess the charisma of figures like Tony Blair (who was Prime Minister between 1997 and 2007), he represents a notable evolution compared to other recent Labour leaders.
YouGov surveys show that British citizens maintain some reservation regarding trust, a suspicion that affects politicians in general. However, Burnham is still seen by the majority of Britons as competent, decisive, and fundamentally likable, a trait that Wells believes can be decisive for a leader.
For Wells, one of Burnham's great advantages will lie in his aptitude for 'projecting a plan' for the future and justifying political choices to voters, including any necessary sacrifices. He observed that when this message comes from someone people trust and like, it is more easily accepted.
Despite these qualities, the YouGov official warned that these advantages cannot solve the country's structural problems, such as low productivity or weak economic growth. Wells admitted that improving communication helps, but it does not boost the economy, emphasizing that Burnham will need to make difficult decisions to show tangible results by the end of his term, scheduled for 2029.
Wells considers it unlikely that three years will be enough to resolve the UK's core issues, but agrees that this period may be adequate to persuade the electorate that the country is on the right track.
YouGov data indicates that currently, a significant portion of voters consider Burnham more capable than Starmer: 23% believe he will do better, compared to only 8% who predict poorer performance. However, public opinion remains divided on the differences between the two candidates, showing low levels of expectation for change in political areas such as the economy, immigration, and the social welfare system.
Burnham's strong connection to Northern England can be interpreted as a vulnerability, as there are concerned voters who worry he will govern primarily for the benefit of that region, rather than the national interest.
Until mid-May, the approval rating of the former Mayor of Manchester (in the North) was positive, but in recent weeks it has fallen, especially among right-wing party activists. Wells explained that he was practically the only Labour politician with a favorable rating, but is now in negative territory, predicting a possible short-term improvement in Labour Party voting intentions due to Burnham's leadership.
Regarding the possibility of early elections, the analyst downplayed its importance, noting that support for this idea varies depending on whether the parties are in government or opposition. Wells concluded that Burnham will have a politically simpler path than Starmer in terms of communication and empathy, but will continue to face the same structural challenges that require difficult decision-making.
Keir Starmer is expected to formally resign as Prime Minister to King Charles III on Monday, at which point Burnham will be called upon to form a Government as the leader of the parliamentary majority party.
