Thousands seek to quit Myanmar after military service announcement

15 Sept 13:02 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's junta announced mandatory military service for all men aged 18-35 and women 18-27, aiming to bolster its forces amidst ongoing conflict.
Following the announcement, thousands of young people in Yangon are queuing at the Thai embassy, desperately seeking visas to leave the country.
This conscription effort comes as the military junta struggles to quell widespread armed opposition and has suffered recent battlefield losses three years after its 2021 coup.

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.