Pope offers refuge to Myanmar's jailed Suu Kyi: report

18 Sept 15:49 Key points summarised by AI

Pope Francis has offered refuge on Vatican territory to Myanmar's detained former leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, expressing profound concern over the country's ongoing crisis.
The Pope disclosed this offer during private meetings with Jesuits in Asia, stressing the imperative to act for peace and a democratic system in Myanmar.
Aung San Suu Kyi, 78, is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence on various charges, following her arrest during the 2021 military coup that overthrew her elected government.
Once a Nobel Peace laureate, her international reputation suffered significantly after 2017 due to accusations of failing to address the persecution of the Rohingya minority.

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.