Myanmar junta extends state of emergency, signalling poll delay

13 Sept 14:41 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's junta extended its state of emergency by six months, effectively delaying promised elections amidst ongoing conflict with anti-coup forces across the country.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing acknowledged that significant parts of the nation remain outside full military control, citing the need for "systematic preparation" before holding polls.
This extension prolongs a humanitarian crisis, with observers describing it as a "never-ending nightmare" as the military continues a bloody crackdown, resulting in thousands of deaths and stalled diplomatic efforts.

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.