Dr Prawase, architect of public health reform and social change, dies at 93

11 Sept 02:56 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand mourns the passing of Dr. Prawase Wasi, 93, a revered public intellectual and social reformer who profoundly shaped the nation's public health and civic development.
He made significant medical advancements, notably through groundbreaking research on thalassaemia, enhancing Thailand's ability to combat the hereditary blood disorder.
Dr. Prawase was instrumental in building Thailand's public health infrastructure, establishing key independent agencies such as the National Health Commission Office and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.
A champion of democratic decentralization and community participation, he notably chaired the committee that drafted and secured the adoption of Thailand's 1997 Constitution.
His legacy as a transformative figure spans public health, education, and social-political reform, leaving an indelible mark on modern Thai institutions and reform movements.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.