Youth vote, stability concerns to drive turnout as Malaysia polls near

13 Sept 14:08 Key points summarised by AI

Youth Engagement: Young voters, now comprising half the electorate due to lowered voting age and automatic registration, are actively encouraged to participate despite political fatigue, with some prioritizing stability.
Stability Crisis: Malaysia's recent political instability, marked by three prime ministers and two collapsed administrations since 2018, is a key concern for voters and a major driver in the upcoming election.
Fragmented Landscape: The election features a record 945 candidates vying for 222 parliamentary seats, indicating a highly fragmented political scene where no single party or coalition is expected to win outright, necessitating alliances.

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.