Australia, Philippines discuss joint patrols in South China Sea

14 Sept 01:26 Key points summarised by AI

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Philippine Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez discussed exploring joint patrols in the disputed South China Sea.
This cooperation reflects both nations' commitment to a global rules-based order and follows similar discussions between Manila and Washington regarding joint coast guard patrols.

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.