Singapore considers caning as scam cases surge

14 Sept 03:08 Key points summarised by AI

Singapore proposes introducing caning for certain scam-related offenses in response to a record Sg$1.1 billion lost in 2024, marking a 70% increase from the previous year.
Scammers are increasingly exploiting cryptocurrencies to bypass banking safeguards and utilizing anonymous platforms like Telegram, with crypto-related cases accounting for nearly 25% of all scam losses.
The government advises citizens to avoid cryptocurrencies, explores legislative measures to ensure compliance from messaging platforms, and continues public education and technological efforts like the 'ScamShield' app to combat evolving scam tactics.

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.