EDCOM 2: end mass promotion in schools | The wRap

Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:

• Mass promotion: Students don’t learn, teachers are ‘shock absorbers’

The Second Congressional Committee on Education recommends phasing out mass promotions in the country’s education system. This is the practice of letting students progress to the next grade level even if they are unqualified.

• Cebu kickstarts Philippines’ year-long ASEAN chairmanship

The Philippines’ year-long chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations kicks off in Cebu. From January 28 to 29, the 10 foreign ministers of ASEAN, led by chairperson Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro will be meeting at the posh NUSTAR Resort in Cebu City.

• It’s official: No March vote for BARMM

The Commission on Elections officially defers the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections scheduled for March 30 saying it will be held ‘once a new date is set by law.’ Comelec says the election timelines are already ‘too proximate’ which made the BARMM parliamentary elections ‘no longer feasible.’

• South Korea court sentences former first lady to jail term for bribery

A South Korean court sentences former first lady Kim Keon-hee to one year and eight months in prison for accepting Chanel bags and a diamond pendant in return for political favors. Kim is the wife of ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol who was ousted from office last year.

• Japan bids farewell to last giant pandas as pair leave for China

Hundreds of Japanese panda lovers bid an emotional farewell to the country’s last two giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei. This, as they left Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo for China on Tuesday, January 27. — Rappler.com