ADB says developing Asia's growth to accelerate after China reopening

14 Sept 02:15 Key points summarised by AI

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised its 2023 growth forecast for developing Asia to 4.8%, up from 4.6%, primarily due to China's abrupt loosening of COVID-19 restrictions.
China's economy, projected to grow 5% this year, is expected to significantly boost regional exports of commodities, manufactured goods, and particularly tourism in countries like Cambodia, Maldives, and Thailand.
While headline inflation for developing Asia is forecast to ease, the ADB warns that an escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict could fuel inflation and lead to further interest rate hikes.

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.