Malaysia takes up ASEAN chair

13 Sept 20:21 Key points summarised by AI

Malaysia has officially assumed the rotational ASEAN chair, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acknowledging the significant task and the need for the bloc to chart new roles amid global complexities.
Under the theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' Malaysia will host its first informal ministerial meeting in Langkawi and plans an inaugural summit between ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and China.
The new chair is expected to announce the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a long-term strategy designed to enhance regional integration, resilience, and establish a more people-centered community.

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.