Myanmar opposition forms unity council

12 Sept 02:56 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's main anti-junta groups have formed the Steering Council for the Emergence of a Federal Democratic Union (SCEF) to unify and intensify resistance against military rule.
The SCEF aims to coordinate political, military, and administrative efforts among key opposition forces, including the NUG, CRPH, ethnic armed organizations, and pro-democracy media.
Its core objectives include completely removing the military from politics, abolishing the 2008 constitution, drafting a new federal constitution, and establishing civilian control over all armed forces.
Structured around three pillars—ethnic states/armed organizations, the broader public, and women—the council seeks to adopt a "one policy, one strategy" to achieve a federal democratic union.
Despite anticipated challenges from excluded groups and the military regime, the SCEF is viewed as a critical step to reinforce unity and establish a clear political center for the pro-democracy struggle.

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.