Loei school shuts urgently after student posts about copycat attack

13 Sept 10:29 Key points summarised by AI

A Loei school in Thailand urgently suspended on-campus classes after a Grade 8 student posted online threats of a copycat attack.
Authorities convened an emergency meeting to formulate strict preventative measures against potential active shooter threats, switching the school to online learning.
School executives revealed the student's history of firearm obsession, including a previous disciplinary action for bringing a toy gun to school, and recent alarming social media posts featuring real weapons.
The school plans special counselling and intervention for the student and his parents to address the concerning behavior and ensure safety.

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.