Singapore says 'premature' for ASEAN talks with Myanmar

13 Sept 13:19 Key points summarised by AI

Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan declared it "premature" for ASEAN to conduct high-level talks with Myanmar's junta, citing over two years of unaddressed violence and instability since the 2021 coup.
ASEAN leaders have reaffirmed their condemnation of the coup and its severe impact, with Balakrishnan noting a lack of improvement in the country's political and humanitarian situation.
Thailand has proposed an informal ministerial meeting with some ASEAN members and Myanmar to re-engage and advance the five-point peace plan, a proposal supported by Cambodia but declined by Malaysia.
The United States, through Secretary of State Antony Blinken, supports ASEAN's efforts, emphasizing the need to maintain pressure on the junta while engaging with the opposition.
The crisis in Myanmar continues with over 6,000 civilian deaths since the coup, and ASEAN's peace plan has made little significant progress, raising concerns about the bloc's relevance.

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.