Indonesia parliament ratifies criminal code that bans sex outside marriage

23 Sept 02:33 Key points summarised by AI

Indonesia's parliament approved a new criminal code, notably banning sex outside marriage with a penalty of up to one year in jail.
The controversial laws also prohibit insulting the president or state institutions and expressing views contrary to state ideology, applying to both citizens and foreigners.
Critics warn these changes undermine civil liberties, represent a 'huge setback' for democratic freedoms, and could negatively impact Indonesia's tourism and investment appeal.
Legislators defend the code as replacing outdated Dutch colonial laws, while experts note its alignment with a rise in religious conservatism.

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.