Minister moves to end 'tea money' for school places

BANGKOK: -- Education Minister Wijit Srisa-arn is pushing for a ministerial regulation prohibiting schools from accepting "tea money" in return for places for pupils.

Parents have been paying big sums to get their children into prestigious schools. The practice received widespread attention this admissions period.

"Until now it's been my policy [to ban tea-money for places] but I hope it will become a regulation," Wijit told a seminar yesterday attended by senior education officials and representatives of 362 popular schools.

"It's clear people support this policy," Wijit said. He said the policy was successful and schools had cooperated.

During admissions for the 2007 academic year the ministry received just 15 complaints. Twelve of those schools have been cleared and investigations of the others continue.

Buoyed by results so far Wijit said he should have a regulation in place before the end of this government's term. It is expected an elected government could take office by January at the latest.

In a related development, Wijit supported a University Presidents' Council plan to give a 50-per-cent weighting to aptitude-test scores for admissions by 2010.

The council said Ordinary National Educational Test scores and an assessment of candidates' three years of senior school would comprise the other 50 per cent.

--The Nation 2007-06-18

Wow, the Education Minister lives in fantasy-land... guess we'll have to wait for the next one.