The world must act now to help Myanmar

10 Sept 09:40 Key points summarised by AI

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake has devastated central Myanmar, particularly Sagaing, causing widespread destruction and numerous casualties, necessitating urgent international humanitarian aid.
The current military junta has appealed for international assistance, but its facilitation is crucial, especially as the quake-hit regions are active conflict zones, requiring a temporary ceasefire for aid delivery.
Drawing lessons from the delayed 2008 Cyclone Nargis response, ASEAN and the UN must swiftly coordinate global relief efforts, using established mechanisms like the AHA Centre to bridge political tensions and ensure timely aid.
This humanitarian crisis presents a rare opportunity for dialogue and potential reconciliation between Myanmar's military rulers, civil society, and resistance groups, if the international community acts decisively and without political roadblocks.

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.