Myanmar to skip Asean chair of 2026

13 Sept 16:45 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar will forgo its scheduled Asean chairmanship in 2026, citing domestic instability and unpreparedness following the 2021 military coup.
The Philippines will assume the Asean chair in 2026 instead, with Myanmar potentially taking the role in 2027.
This move highlights the severe political, economic, and social challenges Myanmar faces, including an extended state of emergency, postponed elections, and ongoing conflict with resistance groups.
Myanmar previously declined the Asean chair in 2006 due to similar internal issues, demonstrating a precedent for prioritizing domestic stability over the regional leadership role.

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.