Independent Press Council Myanmar launched

13 Sept 12:27 Key points summarised by AI

The Independent Press Council of Myanmar (IPCM) launched as Asia's first media regulatory body in exile, uniting independent media outlets and journalists from inside and outside Myanmar.
IPCM aims to professionalize Myanmar journalism, prioritizing journalist safety, ensuring access to reliable information, and developing a comprehensive Code of Conduct.
The council seeks to fill the critical vacuum created by the February 2021 coup, which has led to the imprisonment of numerous journalists and the revocation of media licenses.
IPCM acknowledges efforts by ethnic armed groups to ensure media safety and has established sub-working committees to broaden its networks and operational capabilities in areas like protection, outreach, and sustainability.

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.