Former Buddhism Office head arrested in US, extradition sought

13 Sept 11:17 Key points summarised by AI

Former National Office of Buddhism director, Nopparat Benjawattananon, a fugitive for eight years, was arrested by US marshals in Texas on corruption charges.
Nopparat faces allegations of demanding kickbacks from temples in exchange for subsidies intended for repairs and activities, with Thailand seeking his extradition for prosecution.

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.