Indonesia struggles to get aid to quake survivors, rescue continues

29 Sept 06:59 Key points summarised by AI

Indonesian authorities face significant challenges in delivering aid to thousands displaced by a deadly 5.6-magnitude earthquake in western Java, with efforts hindered by rain-triggered landslides and difficult mountainous terrain.
The quake, which struck near Cianjur, has claimed at least 271 lives with 40 people still missing, leaving many survivors in tents with limited medical and aid supplies.
Rescue teams are actively clearing mud and debris, focusing on areas like Cijedil village where many are believed buried, though persistent rain, aftershocks, and rugged conditions continue to impede search efforts.
The high death toll is attributed to the earthquake's shallow depth in a densely populated area and poor construction standards, which led to widespread building collapses.

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.