Thai PM joins high-powered leaders for 2nd ASEAN Future Forum

23 Sept 02:52 Key points summarised by AI

The 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) will convene in Hanoi on February 25-26, bringing together high-level government officials, scholars, and private sector leaders to discuss critical issues concerning ASEAN's future.
Prominent figures participating include Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivering video messages, with incoming ASEAN Chair Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim set to deliver the keynote speech.
The forum features three main sessions: analyzing global megatrends by 2035, re-evaluating ASEAN's fundamental principles, and strategizing for future challenges.
AFF aims to foster open dialogue, strengthen regional cooperation, and reinforce ASEAN's centrality and relevance, highlighting Vietnam's proactive role in enhancing the bloc's unity and resilience.

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.