Concerns rise over Kok River check dam’s ability to reduce toxic substances

13 Sept 22:31 Key points summarised by AI

A water resource engineering professor expresses skepticism about check dams' effectiveness on the Kok River, stating they are typically for streams, not rivers, and could worsen contamination by spreading concentrated toxic sediments downstream if temporary.
The professor also highlights the critical challenge of safely managing and disposing of the toxic sediments collected, referencing past failures in handling similar environmental contamination.
An environmental advocate warns of ecological damage to the Kok River and its users, while a Deputy Interior Minister acknowledges the need for Myanmar's response and China's key role in solving the problem, as the root cause remains continuous toxic discharge from mines in Shan state.

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.