6.2-magnitude quake hits off Indonesia's Sumatra: USGS

23 Sept 00:46 Key points summarised by AI

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's Sumatra island early Monday, causing panic but no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.
The quake's epicentre was located 48 kilometres south-southeast of Singkil in Aceh province, at a depth of 37 kilometres, and was felt for 3-10 seconds.
Authorities confirmed no tsunami threat, with the event highlighting Indonesia's frequent seismic activity due to its position on the 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.