Most Thai children have developed natural COVID-19 immunity - Dr Yong

14 Sept 02:55 Key points summarised by AI

A study reveals 80% of Thai children aged six months to four years have developed natural immunity to COVID-19, suggesting vaccination may be unnecessary for this group.
This natural immunity, even against newer sub-variants like JN.1, stems from contracting the virus with few or no symptoms, as COVID-19 has evolved into an easily transmissible respiratory disease.

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.