ASEAN chair Indonesia urges political solution to Myanmar crisis

14 Sept 05:20 Key points summarised by AI

ASEAN chair Indonesia emphasized that a political solution, an end to violence, and resumed dialogue are crucial for achieving durable peace in Myanmar.
Thailand's foreign minister unexpectedly revealed he met with Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is in good health and encouraged dialogue, a development that surprised other ASEAN members.
While some independent efforts emerged, ASEAN ministers collectively reiterated their commitment to the bloc's two-year-old five-point consensus plan, which the Myanmar junta has largely ignored, highlighting ongoing divisions within the group.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.