Thailand U-23 regroup after SEA Games heartbreak, set quarterfinal goal
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Thailand U-23 regroup after SEA Games heartbreak, set quarterfinal goal
11 Sept 07:05Key points summarised by AI
Coach Thawatchai Dumrong-ongtrakul has set an initial target for Thailand's U-23 team to reach the quarterfinals at the upcoming 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.
The team is quickly regrouping after their recent SEA Games disappointment, with a focus on moving past past failures and preparing for the continental championship.
The coach plans to enhance the squad by adding new players and prioritizing improved physical conditioning, addressing fatigue issues observed in previous tournaments.
Preparations include an imminent squad announcement, a training camp starting December 29, and departure for Saudi Arabia to face Australia, Iraq, and China in Group D.
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.