First Myanmar junta conscripts to begin duty at end of month

14 Sept 03:09 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's junta will deploy its first batch of 5,000 conscripts by the end of April, marking the initial implementation of a mandatory military service law.
The conscription law, enforced in February, requires men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve for at least two years, aiming to bolster the military amid widespread armed resistance.
Thousands of young people are attempting to flee the country to avoid being drafted, highlighting the public's resistance to the junta's decree.
The military admits facing "challenges" in meeting recruitment quotas despite having the capacity to train 50,000 conscripts annually.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.