El Nino may trigger plankton blooms in Thai waterways

13 Sept 10:39 Key points summarised by AI

The Pollution Control Department warns that El Nino's onset in May could lead to plankton blooms and pollution in Thai waterways.
Forecasted below-average rainfall in June will lower water levels, increasing the risk of pollution from untreated wastewater.
The department is urging industries and local administrations to prevent wastewater discharge and regularly monitor water quality to protect aquatic life.

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.