SRT board approves 2,850 new posts to address severe staff shortage

13 Sept 05:48 Key points summarised by AI

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) board approved 2,850 new positions to combat a chronic staff shortage and support the country's expanding rail network.
SRT will seek government approval to overturn a nearly three-decade-old Cabinet resolution that has severely restricted hiring, causing its workforce to plummet from over 18,000 to 8,215.
The recruitment drive is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency, ensuring safety, and managing new dual-track lines, routes, and equipment until 2029.
Filling essential roles like locomotive drivers and track maintenance crews will significantly reduce soaring overtime costs (currently 30-40% of payroll) to a standard 10%, redirecting funds to new salaries.
Adequate staffing will enhance workplace safety by allowing employees proper rest, mitigating work fatigue, and lowering the risk of rail accidents.

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.