Global food prices in 2022 hit record high amid drought, war

14 Sept 02:43 Key points summarised by AI

Global food commodity prices soared to record highs in 2022, primarily due to the Russia-Ukraine war, widespread droughts, and other inflationary pressures.
The conflict severely disrupted critical Black Sea food supplies, escalating food insecurity, inflation, and poverty in import-dependent developing nations.
Climate shocks, particularly the severe drought in the Horn of Africa, intensified starvation, critically affecting countries like Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya.
Despite a late-year dip in some commodity prices, overall food costs remain elevated, with concerns about rice prices rising and ongoing risks to future global supplies.

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.