.png?sfvrsn=e5e087f4_0)
Overview
The NIE-GPL 2026 Leadership Webinar examines recent challenges affecting education systems stemming from funding cuts, political rhetoric and resource pressures. It proposes strategies for effective stewardship, innovation, and equitable implementation within national education systems, preparing leaders and students to thrive amidst change.
What to Expect
This webinar discusses the significant challenges leaders in educational settings in an era characterized by considerable instability and resource pressures and proposes strategies for adapting to these new environments.
The first part examines specific stressors facing U.S. education districts—significant federal funding cuts disproportionately impacting vulnerable learners and draining political rhetoric. The discussion then looks beyond the constraints of scarcity to focus on effective stewardship, innovation, and equitable implementation within national education systems.
The second part focuses on the external sources of turbulence—including technology, tariffs, and tribalism at global, regional, and local levels—and their implications for educational leadership. It suggests leaders must prepare themselves and their students to not only survive but thrive amidst this pervasive change.
Webinar Details
📆 5 March 2026, Thursday
⏰ 3.00pm to 5.00pm (SGT)
🌐 Online
(Register by 15 February 2026, Sunday)
Fees
| MOE Participants | Non-MOE Participants | |
| Nett fees including $1 copyright fees | $21 | $111 |
| Total nett fees payable, including GST and copyright fee | $22.89 | $120.99 |
- MOE educators refer to participants from primary, secondary and junior colleges under MOE.
- NIE reserves the right to refuse admission of participants who have not made full payment before the start of the event.
Participants attending this webinar will
- Identify recent stressors on the U.S. and local education systems stemming from funding cuts, political rhetoric and resource pressures.
- Explore how effective stewardship and innovation can prepare education leaders to navigate external sources of turbulence and pervasive change.
Dr Christian J. Rubalcaba
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
San Mateo-Foster City School District, California
Courage in Motion: Designing Forward-Thinking Schools While Defending Equity for All Students
Synopsis
School leadership today demands steadiness as districts navigate significant reductions in federal education funding, which disproportionately impacts vulnerable learners. Navigating these funding cuts and the political rhetoric that generates fear consumes a lot of time and energy. Despite these challenges, preparing students for a changing world is paramount. Leaders should champion future-ready environments with career technical pathways, collaborative designs, and technology. Dr. Rubalcaba shares his observations, practical strategies, and examples from California districts on protecting equity and pursuing innovation during instability. This information can help participants strengthen community trust, advocate for resources, and design inclusive schools.
Speaker's Profile
Dr. Christian J. Rubalcaba is an equity-driven district leader and a former bilingual teacher and instructional coach via Teach for America, he went on to serve as a principal at both the elementary and middle school levels and later as Director of School Leadership. He holds degrees from Harvard University, Purdue University, and San Francisco State University, and is National Board Certified in Literacy. Dr. Rubalcaba is a proud graduate of the ALAS National Superintendents Leadership Academy (Cohort XIV), a Fulbright Leaders for Global Schools alum (Singapore 2025), and a current Pahara Institute Fellow. He also serves as the 2025–2026 ACSA Region 5 President. In his current role, he leads districtwide efforts to advance restorative practices, expand mental health and community school supports, and champion inclusive learning.
Dr Aaron Maniam
Fellow of Practice and Director of Digital Transformation Education
Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford
Leading Schools in the Never Normal: Our Turbulent World and Implications for Educators
Synopsis
We hear increasing reference to the turbulence of current times - due to technology, tariffs, tribalism, and other stressors in the domestic and international systems. This talk explores the sources of these stresses and pressures within Singapore, regionally and globally; the implications for education leaders; and how these leaders can prepare both themselves and their students to survive and hopefully thrive in such times.
Speaker's Profile
Dr. Aaron Maniam is currently Fellow of Practice and Director of Digital Transformation Education at the Blavatnik School of Government in the University of Oxford. He focuses on how large, complex organisations like governments can (i) better use, regulate and enable digital technology in a range of domains, and (ii) plan more effectively for the long-term. Previously a Singaporean civil servant, he held several policy leadership roles, including starting both the Centre for Strategic Futures, which examines long-range trends, and the Civil Service College Applied Simulation Training (CAST) Laboratory, which creates serious games to help policymakers grapple with wicked problems. He co-chaired the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Technology Policy (2022-2024), and now co-chairs the GFC on GovTech and Digital Public Infrastructure. He is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Future Generations and a member of the OECD’s Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Futures.
Register by 15 February 2026, Sunday.
Please follow the instructions here to learn how to register for the course.
