The US midterm elections delivered a divided government, intensifying partisan conflict and threatening core democratic principles like checks and balances and media neutrality.
Both Democrats and Republicans are driven by self-interest, with political rivalry degenerating into a 'protectors' versus 'destroyers' mentality rather than fostering cooperation.
The Republican-controlled House is poised to launch numerous investigations and potentially leverage the debt ceiling, risking severe political acrimony and economic instability.
A potential Trump-Biden rematch in 2024 is highlighted as a scenario that would further entrench a zero-sum political game, making peace and functional governance nearly impossible.
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.