Youth groups, eyeing change, wait with bated breath for ruling on PM
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Youth groups, eyeing change, wait with bated breath for ruling on PM
14 Sept 09:43Key points summarised by AI
Thai youth groups anticipate a Constitutional Court ruling on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's term limit, with plans for major protests on August 24 if he remains in power.
Activists advocate for PM Prayut's resignation and an immediate snap election, viewing it as a peaceful resolution to escalating social tensions and a path to genuine democratic change.
The 'People's Party' youth movement draws inspiration from Thailand's 1932 revolution, aiming to fulfill its 'unfinished political mission' by pushing for comprehensive democratic reforms, including social welfare, education, and institutional changes.
Despite government suppression and the pandemic, the movement adapts its tactics, utilizing social media and engaging in diverse issues from school-level concerns to broader calls for societal equality and freedom.
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.