Brazilian students win gold medal in international NASA competition

The student movement continues in Ranchi, sparked by alleged irregularities in the JPSC-JSSC exams in the state of Jharkhand. Among the protesting students, Prem Prem Nayak called for a 'Jail Bharo Andolan' (Prison Filling Movement).

Prem Prem Nayak stated that the protest has been ongoing for 23 days, and the hunger strike for 13 days. He asserted that the government is not showing due seriousness and expressed concerns about his health, noting that he developed a fever the next day, and he himself rejected an attempt to take him for medical treatment.

He also mentioned that Devendra Nat Mahto was taken away and is being held because it is aimed at undermining the movement. Negotiations are currently underway regarding the blockade of the Chief Minister's residence, but no decisions have been made yet.

According to Prem Prem Nayak, instead of besieging the Chief Minister's residence, the 'Jail Bharo Andolan' would be more effective. He also believes that closing all schools and colleges is a good idea, proposing these two options for consideration.

It is reported that JPSC-JSSC Sudhar Manch announced plans to surround the Chief Minister's residence on August 20th. Students demand the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam and an investigation by the CBI. Furthermore, a demonstration to burn portraits of the Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi has been announced for August 16th in all districts. For the first time, a demand for the resignation of the Chief Minister has also been raised.

Meanwhile, on Saturday (August 15th), student movement leader Devendra Nat Mahto stated on social media platform X that he sustained chest injuries during clashes while attempting to participate in the flag hoisting ceremony at Jaypal Singh Stadium.

Devendra Nat Mahto recounted that after expressing his desire to participate in the flag hoisting ceremony and the procession with the tricolor at the event venue, police deployed forces outside his hospital room. He questioned whether this constitutes freedom and asked why they are not free to hoist the tricolor and participate in its procession in their own country.

Traditionally, summer holidays allow children to rest, spend time with friends, and engage in entertainment. However, in China, for some children, the holidays have turned into a period of preparation for the next academic year. Parents are actively engaging in teaching their children subjects from the new semester even before classes officially begin. This phenomenon has been dubbed 'pre-made children' and has drawn public attention.

The term is used because some parents strive to give their children knowledge from the upcoming curriculum during vacation. Their belief is that preliminary study of material will help the child better absorb lessons at school and get ahead of their peers.

According to one report, a mother from Jiangsu province is preparing her fourth-grade son specifically during the summer break. She requires him to memorize Chinese poems, learn English vocabulary, and take online math lessons. Notably, many of these topics were supposed to be covered in class in the following academic year. Thus, the child was studying material that his classmates would receive later.

The mother notes that she and her husband dedicate time to the child's studies even after returning from work, making the holiday period very intense for all participants. Nevertheless, parents worry that if they do not start learning in advance, their child might fall behind others.

The main reason cited for this phenomenon is the growing academic competition among children. Many parents want their child to achieve high results in exams and surpass others academically. It is due to this mindset that some parents begin teaching parts of the curriculum before classes start. They believe that when teachers begin teaching these topics at school, it will be easier for the child to understand them.

However, another problem arises: if every family starts preparing its child in advance, the competition may intensify. As a result, parents might conclude that their child can only succeed by starting earlier than others.

The word 'pre-made' is usually applied to products manufactured beforehand. In China, this term has become associated with education on social media. This name can be seen as a kind of irony towards children who are constantly being prepared for the next semester during vacation. It also raises the question of whether the constant pursuit of achievement and study diminishes normal childhood experiences.

A small amount of study during the holidays is not inherently wrong. Children can use this time to review previously learned material or learn something new of their own choice. But if most of the holidays are dedicated exclusively to studying, lessons, and homework, the time for the child's rest and recreation may be reduced. It is important that besides studying, children have time for play, socializing with family, and participating in hobbies.

Thanks to this term, the public has begun discussing the issue. Some believe that in an education system oriented towards competition, parents simply have no other choice but to prepare their children in advance. Others question why they constantly put children in a race for success. Overall, the 'pre-made children' trend in China touches upon not only the issue of studying during vacation but also the problem of finding a balance between education, parental anxiety, and increased competition. The question arises: is it truly necessary to prepare children for the next grade during every holiday, or should they be allowed some time to live without constant studying?

Students from Iran have achieved success in various international competitions. They won medals and honorable mentions at the 9th International Olympiad in Economics (IEO 2026), held from July 12 to 20 in Shenzhen, China, as well as at the 38th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), which took place from August 9 to 16 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

At IEO 2026, the Iranian team secured one silver and three bronze medals. In the IOI competition, Iranian students won two silver medals, one bronze medal, and an honorable mention.

This year, 270 students from 54 countries participated in IEO. Mobin Karimi Dizichekh won a silver medal, along with receiving an honorable mention and the 'Best in Finance' award, according to the Borna agency. Mohammadhossein Rahimi Nejad, Alireza Atashi, and Ehsan Zolfaghari received bronze medals.

IEO is an annual competition for high school students worldwide in the fields of economics and finance. The Olympiad is supported by Eric Maskin, a Nobel laureate in Economics in 2007. The goals of IEO include transforming global education in economics, finance, and business through competition and cooperation, as well as stimulating innovation and cultural exchange among young economists.

Meanwhile, 386 students from over 97 countries participated in this year's IOI competition. Hamed Ghaffariaghas and Arash Ostadsharif-Memar placed in silver, while Mohammad Shayan won a bronze medal. Bahamin Shafaki received an honorable mention.

IOI is one of several annually held international scientific olympiads. Outstanding high school students from different countries compete in this prestigious algorithmic contest to hone their skills in informatics, such as problem analysis, algorithm development and data structures, programming, and testing. IOI is considered the most prestigious computer olympiad for middle and high school students worldwide.

The goals of IOI are to identify and support talented youth in the field of informatics, promote friendly international relations among computer specialists, draw youth attention to the discipline of informatics, and encourage countries to host future IOIs on their territory. Each participating country forms a team of no more than four participants who compete in a two-day format. Each participant competes individually, solving three algorithmic problems over five hours each day.

Previously, Iran won at the 37th IOI, held in Sucre, Bolivia, where it won one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal, according to ISNA. Amir Ali Asgari took gold, Mani Zare and Hamed Ghaffari took silver, and Kiaras Rezaei took bronze.

Iranian students also demonstrated outstanding results in other olympiads. They won one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal at the 3rd International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI 2026), which was held from August 2 to 8 in Astana, Kazakhstan. IOAI is an international scientific AI olympiad for high school students aimed at inspiring youth in science, focusing on AI. The competition provides a platform for leading AI students selected through national competitions to exchange ideas and build connections, fostering dialogue about the possibilities and ethical issues of AI.

Shayan Rezaeizadeh won the gold medal, Mohammad-Reza Darvishi and Mohammad-Amin Nazmfar received silver medals, and Mani Monjipour received a bronze medal, according to IRNA. This year, over 120 teams, comprising more than 500 students from 103 countries and territories, participated in tasks related to AI and Machine Learning (ML).

Iranian students showed brilliant results at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), winning three gold medals and one silver, and at the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), receiving three silver and one bronze medal.

The 37th International Biology Olympiad (IBO 2026) took place from July 12 to 19 in Vilnius, Lithuania, gathering participants from about 80 countries across five continents. Radin Bayani, Mohammad-Reza Vaezi, and Amir-Hossein Nosrati won gold medals, while Amir-Hossein Hemmati won silver, reports IRIB.

The 58th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO 2026) was held from July 10 to 19 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with over 350 students from 90 countries participating. Ali Shamsi-Mofakhar, Mahyar Najjar, and Amir-Reza Hosseini won silver medals, and Ariyo Seirafi won bronze.

A five-member team of Iranian students achieved remarkable success, winning three gold and two silver medals at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). IPhO 2026 took place from July 4 to 12 in Bucaramanga, Colombia, gathering over 400 students from more than 90 countries. Hirbod Foudazi, Kian Zarrabian, and Mohammad Mirmohammadi won gold medals, while Amir-Sam Goharpay and Nima Kushki took silver medals.

Iran's physics team demonstrated a stunning triumph at the 2026 International Science Olympiad in Physics, winning two gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. Hirbod Foudazi ranked first among all participants, earning the title of absolute winner by achieving the best result in the theoretical exam and winning a gold medal and a national diamond, according to IRNA.

Amir-Sam Goharpay won the second gold medal; Kian Zarrabian and Mohammad Mirmohammadi received silver and bronze medals, respectively. Four Iranian female students participated in the Open Geo 2026 International Geography Olympiad, winning four medals for the first time, including one silver and three bronze. Artina Heidari won a silver medal; Setaeesh Haknazari, Sana Karbalai Vali, and Gelia Hodabandelu received bronze medals, reports IRIB.