Thai ex-deputy education minister banned from political office for life

13 Sept 14:13 Key points summarised by AI

Former Deputy Education Minister Kanokwan Wilawan received a lifetime ban from political office.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders found her guilty of gross ethical violations.
The conviction stems from unlawfully seeking a land title deed for a 4.8-hectare plot in Khao Yai National Park through fraudulent claims and a non-existent seller.
In addition to the lifetime ban, she was stripped of her voting rights and the right to contest elections for ten years.

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.