Finance ministry considers increasing capital reserves of BAAC by Bt10bn

17 Sept 22:39 Key points summarised by AI

The Finance Ministry is considering a Bt10bn capital increase for the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to ensure its financial stability before the government borrows for the digital wallet scheme.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat affirmed the legality of borrowing from BAAC due to its liquidity surplus but emphasized the need for capital enhancement through bond issuance to ease financial burdens.
BAAC is generally supportive of the digital wallet scheme, yet its staff are divided; one faction favors the higher interest potential, while another fears government default and potential misalignment with the bank's core objectives.

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.