Indonesia quake kills over 160, search for survivors continues

13 Sept 08:50 Key points summarised by AI

A powerful 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck West Java, Indonesia, resulting in over 160 fatalities and hundreds injured, with the death toll expected to rise as search efforts continue.
Rescuers are intensely searching for survivors trapped under collapsed buildings in Cianjur, facing challenges from ongoing aftershocks, landslides, and disrupted communications.
The quake caused widespread devastation, damaging thousands of homes and displacing over 13,000 residents, highlighting Indonesia's vulnerability as it sits on the seismically active "Pacific Ring of Fire".

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.