Can Timor Leste join Asean next year?

12 Sept 04:02 Key points summarised by AI

Many Asean leaders, notably Malaysia (the 2025 chair), support Timor Leste's bid to join the bloc by next year, aiming for an 11-member Asean.
While Timor Leste emphasizes its democratic status, Asean prioritizes economic and social readiness, along with administrative capacities like English proficiency and the ability to host numerous meetings.
Since its 2011 application, Timor Leste has diligently worked to fulfill Asean requirements, including opening embassies and strengthening its capacity across political, economic, and socio-cultural pillars, with a roadmap endorsed last year and 66 agreements to accede to.
The potential membership is expected to be discussed at the upcoming special Asean-Australia summit, which could clarify the timeline for Timor Leste's full integration.

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.