Myanmar must get 'democratic transition back on track immediately': UN chief

14 Sept 01:44 Key points summarised by AI

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Myanmar's junta to immediately restore democratic transition to end the nation's "unending nightmare."
Myanmar has been embroiled in a bloody conflict since the military coup in February last year, resulting in widespread casualties and regional instability.
The escalating crisis was a central focus at the ASEAN summit, where leaders expressed frustration over the junta's failure to implement the agreed-upon "five-point consensus" peace plan.
Guterres emphasized the necessity of releasing political prisoners and enforcing the peace plan, condemning the ongoing indiscriminate attacks on civilians.
ASEAN leaders are now developing a concrete strategy to implement the consensus, including allowing their special envoy to engage with opposition groups, despite the junta's objections.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 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.