Southern peace negotiators end first day of talks

14 Sept 13:27 Key points summarised by AI

Thai government and Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist group concluded their first day of peace talks in Kuala Lumpur, marking the first dialogue in over a year.
The discussions, facilitated by Malaysia's new envoy Gen Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, aim to reduce violence, explore long-term solutions for southern Thailand, and consult with local communities.

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.