Education Min affirms Thai students must have access to STEM education

Praphorn Praphornkul

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Minister of Education has declared, at an international forum, that all Thai children must have access to quality STEM education.

 

Minister of Education Nattaphol Teepsuwan was addressing the 2nd Integrated STEM Leadership Summit in Asia, an online conference organized by the SEAMEO Secretariat. He stated that Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries acknowledge the importance of STEM education at all levels of schooling and affirmed that Thailand maintains policies for students to access STEM subjects.

 

STEM education is an innovation in learning focusing on producing students with the skills and knowledge needed by industries and businesses. Thailand provides STEM classes from the primary level through the secondary level of schooling, as well as for vocational students. On top of state efforts, private entities have also been working with the government to enhance STEM skills and knowledge among both students and educators in the hopes of producing a quality workforce for the future.

 

In 2019, Thailand established the SEAMEO Regional Center for STEM Education, to serve as a hub for regional STEM projects and activities.

 

The Education Minister thanked STEM area academics and the leaders of various agencies attending the summit for exchanging their knowledge on the topic and providing data on STEM learning, expressing his hope that the meeting would push STEM education in Thailand, the region and the world.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-01-24

 

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They do love their buzz words. STEM is already becoming outdated and has evolved into STEAM to include the Arts and provide a more holistic approach. However, both STEM and STEAM require the same principles, which are that students are able to think critically, analyse problems and be innovative in providing practical solutions. Without a major overhaul in the Thai education system to train and equip teachers with these skills to pass on to their students it just isn't going to happen in Thailand. 

23 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The Minister of Education has declared, at an international forum, that all Thai children must have access to quality STEM education.

Blah, blah, blah, must have, blah, blah, blah, access, blah, blah, blah, education.

 

It's all sound bites with nothing of substance happening. This time next year - same BS.

 

Blah, blah, blahdy, blah. ????

It would be good journalism to expand each acronym at least once in the article, in parentheses if necessary.

 

STEM:- Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics.

SEAMEO:- South-East Asia Ministers of Education Organisation.

 

NOW it makes some sense!

11 minutes ago, Grusa said:

It would be good journalism to expand each acronym at least once in the article, in parentheses if necessary.

 

STEM:- Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics.

SEAMEO:- South-East Asia Ministers of Education Organisation.

 

NOW it makes some sense!

If I may change that to :   STEAMED - South-East Asia Ministers of Education Disasters

32 minutes ago, Grusa said:

It would be good journalism to expand each acronym at least once in the article, in parentheses if necessary.

 

STEM:- Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics.

SEAMEO:- South-East Asia Ministers of Education Organisation.

 

NOW it makes some sense!

Agree, and it's not just this article, and it's annoying. Good journalism would dictate that all information necessary for the casual reader is included, without him/her having to do google searches to find out what the hell they're talking about. 

If education is sooo important for these guys, why don't they abolish that stupid always passing law???? How can you make kids do anything, or even let them think if you will get your certificate at the end without doing anything????  get rid of this law and you will see in 2years time the level of knowledge will be increased. 

And yes I know there are a lot of teachers who will give the answers of the test to students. But let the education Ministry make the tests and they will check too... in a few years time everything will be different... but this is Thailand and nothing will change 

5 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

They do love their buzz words. STEM is already becoming outdated and has evolved into STEAM to include the Arts and provide a more holistic approach. However, both STEM and STEAM require the same principles, which are that students are able to think critically, analyse problems and be innovative in providing practical solutions. Without a major overhaul in the Thai education system to train and equip teachers with these skills to pass on to their students it just isn't going to happen in Thailand. 

 

Good to see the STEAM initiative getting a mention here.

As one who holds a degree in Physics(BS) and two degrees in art (BFA sculpture & a BA in metalworking/jewelry), the value STEM students can gain from learning to think more creatively and outside the box cannot be understated. Future scientists, programmers, and engineers can greatly improve their performance when taught to not only think creatively, but also given the physical skills to create elegant yet efficient designs, have the ability to produce direct to print 3D designs that address both form and function, and much more...

Originally developed as an initiative of the Rhode Island School of Art and Design (RISD) in response to STEM educators from other institutions expressing their concern about STEM students having little creativity or problem solving abilities, the program is now becoming more accepted throughout academia, with Brown University now working jointly with RSD to promote its implementation through a joint Dual-Degree program.

An essential requirement to this approach is a 'qualified' teaching staff and effective student evaluation process. As expressed in the above post, these last 2 requirements will be the most difficult to overcome.

For the future of the millions of current local students and the future of Thailand, I sincerely hope some progress will be made.
Cheers!

 

https://www.risd.edu/academics/public-engagement/#support-for-steam

https://www.brown.edu/academics/brown-risd-dual-degree/
 

 

 

 

STEAM is an initiative of the Rhode Island School of art & Design

6 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

They do love their buzz words. STEM is already becoming outdated and has evolved into STEAM to include the Arts and provide a more holistic approach. However, both STEM and STEAM require the same principles, which are that students are able to think critically, analyse problems and be innovative in providing practical solutions. Without a major overhaul in the Thai education system to train and equip teachers with these skills to pass on to their students it just isn't going to happen in Thailand. 

Perhaps less of them carrying a stick at morning assembly would be a start.

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

But let the education Ministry make the tests and they will check too...

 

14 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The Minister of Education has declared, at an international forum, that all Thai children must have access to quality STEM education.

 

Oh God, another one sees the light and thinks he is the first to do so. These people really are outstanding dullards.

8 hours ago, SimpleMan555 said:

learning to think more creatively and outside the box

 

Learning to think inside the box would be an immense improvement.

They better hurry if they want to get to the moon anytime soon.

10 hours ago, worldexpress said:

They better hurry if they want to get to the moon anytime soon.

 

They're not going to get to the moon, he's just big-noting and trying to pre-emptively lay claim to the credit in the unlikely  event that Thailand achieves anything of the sort. For me, it was (perhaps) the first clear signal that he knows his time as PM is coming to a close. He'll do a runner.

Having access to their classrooms and competent teachers might be a better start. Stop closing the schools willy nilly for random activity days - Thai kids spend a ridiculous amount of time out of school, and not enough time in.