ADB cuts inflation forecast for developing Asia

14 Sept 10:12 Key points summarised by AI

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) reduced its 2023 inflation forecast for developing Asia to 3.6% from 4.2%, citing easing food and fuel prices, waning supply chain disruptions, and the impact of interest rate hikes.
This downward revision suggests inflation is trending back towards pre-Covid levels, offering relief to household budgets across 46 emerging member economies.
Despite the lowered inflation outlook, the ADB maintained its 4.8% economic growth forecast for 2023, driven by robust consumption, travel, and investment.
The bank noted a potential shift towards easier monetary policy by regional central banks as inflation moderates, while cautioning about risks such as the Ukraine war and the El Nino weather phenomenon.

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.