86 confirmed dead, more evidence of cause of SAO building collapse sought

13 Sept 08:47 Key points summarised by AI

Officials are actively collecting evidence, including cement and rebar samples, at the collapsed State Audit Office building site to determine the cause, as the search for missing workers continues.
The confirmed death toll has risen to 86, with investigators questioning the project manager regarding documented design changes to the core lift shaft.

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.