ASEAN leaders seek unity at summit dominated by Myanmar crisis

1 Oct 03:04 Key points summarised by AI

ASEAN leaders convened in Jakarta to address the protracted Myanmar crisis and escalating tensions over China's claims in the South China Sea, seeking a unified regional stance.
The bloc grapples with internal divisions on how to engage Myanmar's junta, with Indonesia advocating for the implementation of a two-year-old peace plan and discussions underway for the Philippines to assume the 2026 ASEAN chairmanship from Myanmar.
China's recent map asserting sovereignty over most of the South China Sea sparked strong rebukes from member states, prompting ASEAN leaders to express concern and aim for a code of conduct by 2026.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo stressed ASEAN's resolve to remain independent from major power influence, as the region prepares to host the East Asia Summit with global leaders later in the week.

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.