East and South Asia's economies remain resilient

23 Sept 03:10 Key points summarised by AI

East and South Asia exhibit strong economic growth, primarily driven by robust private consumption and exports, according to the UN World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2025 report.
Globally, economic growth is resilient but remains below pre-pandemic averages, facing headwinds from weak investment and high debt, though lower inflation may offer a modest boost in 2025.
East Asia projects stable growth (4.7% in 2025) propelled by low inflation, strong wages, and merchandise trade, with China actively implementing measures to bolster its economy.
South Asia anticipates robust GDP growth (5.7% in 2025), largely due to India's strong performance and economic recoveries across several other nations in the region.
Both regions confront increasing risks, including escalating geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and climate change impacts, which could reignite inflation and threaten food security.

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.