Suitable School For Half Thai Half Falang Child Living In Isan?

[rockyysdt]

An English friend is the proud father of an eight month Thai born boy and is thinking about his educational future.

He's keen to ensure his son gets a good start at a primary school which specialises in quality English language classes as well as Thai.

Can anyone recommend a suitable, presumably private, school in and around Udon Thani?

He'll also need to know what kind of fees would apply.

I suppose the options could be an integrated (English/Thai) scholl, or a quality Thai school & seek external English classes.

The wife and child currently live in a village in Isaan and would need to move to a suitable apartment or home close to school.

Are apartments or homes expensive to lease in Udon Thani?

Any assistance is appreciated.

cheers.

[jerrylee]

An English friend is the proud father of an eight month Thai born boy and is thinking about his educational future.

He's keen to ensure his son gets a good start at a primary school which specialises in quality English language classes as well as Thai.

Can anyone recommend a suitable, presumably private, school in and around Udon Thani?

He'll also need to know what kind of fees would apply.

I suppose the options could be an integrated (English/Thai) scholl, or a quality Thai school & seek external English classes.

The wife and child currently live in a village in Isaan and would need to move to a suitable apartment or home close to school.

Are apartments or homes expensive to lease in Udon Thani?

Any assistance is appreciated.

cheers.

There's Don Bosco Withaya one of the better ones and couple other Christian Schools in Udon Thani.

There's also no problem to rent a farang house for Bht 10-12,000- p.m. however few kilo out of ring road,

but IMHO if one has to rent - you'll get much better deals in places like Chiangmai and its a lot prettier?

Yes, they do teach English in primary schools, according to thai standards, there's no understanding to the requirements of bi-cultured students, and real teaching starts 2 years later than rest of the world, there's hardly any equipment or apparatus in playschool/kindergarten - they sleep on the floor and watch TV, they get to eat issan food for lunch, and the teachers will tell the kid that farang spaghetti are like worms and ugly to eat !!. Its backwards and far from adequate, statistics shows that Issan graduates working or studying in Bangkok are from Khon Khaen and not Udon Thani.

For the above reasons, my american neighbour have bought a second house in Rangsit, and will move with his seven year old to Bangkok. Actually, to give you an idea, the newer International Schools are outside of Bangkok in Chonburi, Eastern Seaboard, such as ISE or Northbridge and they even have Japanese food on the lunch menu and mosts teachers are expats ... they have networked computers that 5 year olds can learn on! Softwares, eLearnings ...

[TerryLH]

At 8 months old it's a little early to be looking at a specific school. Things could change drastically in a few years time.

Good to start thinking about the fees now. Wouldn't hurt to open a savings account for the childs education.

Khon Kaen probably has more good options than Udon.

10-12k for rent seems high. You can rent a nice place in KK for 4-5k. That would be in town, not way out in the sticks.

[rockyysdt]

There's Don Bosco Withaya one of the better ones and couple other Christian Schools in Udon Thani.

There's also no problem to rent a farang house for Bht 10-12,000- p.m. however few kilo out of ring road,

but IMHO if one has to rent - you'll get much better deals in places like Chiangmai and its a lot prettier?

Yes, they do teach English in primary schools, according to thai standards, there's no understanding to the requirements of bi-cultured students, and real teaching starts 2 years later than rest of the world, there's hardly any equipment or apparatus in playschool/kindergarten - they sleep on the floor and watch TV, they get to eat issan food for lunch, and the teachers will tell the kid that farang spaghetti are like worms and ugly to eat !!. Its backwards and far from adequate, statistics shows that Issan graduates working or studying in Bangkok are from Khon Khaen and not Udon Thani.

For the above reasons, my american neighbour have bought a second house in Rangsit, and will move with his seven year old to Bangkok. Actually, to give you an idea, the newer International Schools are outside of Bangkok in Chonburi, Eastern Seaboard, such as ISE or Northbridge and they even have Japanese food on the lunch menu and mosts teachers are expats ... they have networked computers that 5 year olds can learn on! Softwares, eLearnings ...

Do you recommend ISE or Northbridge at Chon Buri, followed by schools in Bangkok, & lastly Khon Khaen in that order for primary schooling?

Can you suggest suitable international schools in Bangkok?

Are such schools expensive to attend?

[harrry]

Will there ever be a day when the topic will read "Suitable School for a Child"?

[CosmicSurfer]

After 8 years teaching in some of the Best Public schools in Bangkok, I would NEVER let any of my own kids get an education at any school in this country... at any level.

There is no way that I would subject them to the demeaning atmosphere, brain-dead teachers and admin, and totally substandard system on every level...

I told my wife... if she gets pregnant we leave... max 2-3 years here so the kid gets a grounding of Thai... then 2-3 years back home before school starts so he/she can speak English well enough to be comfortable meeting new friends and get a REAL education... one where they learn how to think.... My wife can teach him/her Thai.. Then if he/she wants to come back here he/she can easily get a Hi-So job for Real Money...

If you love your Kid... treat him/her right... Get him/her a real education and don't subject him/Her to the torture and serfhood of a Thai school.

Take the kid and LEAVE!!!!

Thais have an excuse.. you don't... LEAVE.

CS

[Scott]

Generally, schools in Thailand are probably not 'world class', but that said, most countries have some glaring holes in their educational system. I would suggest finding the best school you can in a location that is suitable for you and your family. You can supplement what you see as deficiencies in the existing system.

I highly doubt that you will find a school anywhere that does all the things that you want and does them well. If your committed to living in Thailand and your child will likely attend university in Thailand, then a Thai school or bilingual program is the best. If you plan to go back at some point then a bilignual or international school maybe best. If your wife doesn't mind the child not learning Thai well, then an international program is probably the way to go.

From your post, it sounds like a bilingual program might be the best option.

[bangon04]

After 8 years teaching in some of the Best Public schools in Bangkok, I would NEVER let any of my own kids get an education at any school in this country... at any level.

There is no way that I would subject them to the demeaning atmosphere, brain-dead teachers and admin, and totally substandard system on every level...

I told my wife... if she gets pregnant we leave... max 2-3 years here so the kid gets a grounding of Thai... then 2-3 years back home before school starts so he/she can speak English well enough to be comfortable meeting new friends and get a REAL education... one where they learn how to think.... My wife can teach him/her Thai.. Then if he/she wants to come back here he/she can easily get a Hi-So job for Real Money...

If you love your Kid... treat him/her right... Get him/her a real education and don't subject him/Her to the torture and serfhood of a Thai school.

Take the kid and LEAVE!!!!

Thais have an excuse.. you don't... LEAVE.

CS

Very very sad, but very very true.....

[Unfaithful]

I am gay, so Sammi Noi and I make no luk krungs. Kmowing Sammi's family, and many Thais who were raised here, I agree with Cosmic Surfer.

[rockyysdt]

After 8 years teaching in some of the Best Public schools in Bangkok, I would NEVER let any of my own kids get an education at any school in this country... at any level.

There is no way that I would subject them to the demeaning atmosphere, brain-dead teachers and admin, and totally substandard system on every level...

I told my wife... if she gets pregnant we leave... max 2-3 years here so the kid gets a grounding of Thai... then 2-3 years back home before school starts so he/she can speak English well enough to be comfortable meeting new friends and get a REAL education... one where they learn how to think.... My wife can teach him/her Thai.. Then if he/she wants to come back here he/she can easily get a Hi-So job for Real Money...

If you love your Kid... treat him/her right... Get him/her a real education and don't subject him/Her to the torture and serfhood of a Thai school.

Take the kid and LEAVE!!!!

Thais have an excuse.. you don't... LEAVE.

CS

Your post is very inciteful but also very frightening.

I agree that children between the ages of birth & six are extremely impressionable.

If they are taught not to think at pre school then they may become locked into a negative mindset.

Which country are you originally from.

My friend indicated that many schools in Britain are also ghettos for kids with violence & poor teaching standards appear to be the norm.

It seems the answers are limited which way you look.

In your experience can you give specific examples of the poor standards of thai teaching?

[rockyysdt]

After 8 years teaching in some of the Best Public schools in Bangkok, I would NEVER let any of my own kids get an education at any school in this country... at any level.

There is no way that I would subject them to the demeaning atmosphere, brain-dead teachers and admin, and totally substandard system on every level...

I told my wife... if she gets pregnant we leave... max 2-3 years here so the kid gets a grounding of Thai... then 2-3 years back home before school starts so he/she can speak English well enough to be comfortable meeting new friends and get a REAL education... one where they learn how to think.... My wife can teach him/her Thai.. Then if he/she wants to come back here he/she can easily get a Hi-So job for Real Money...

If you love your Kid... treat him/her right... Get him/her a real education and don't subject him/Her to the torture and serfhood of a Thai school.

Take the kid and LEAVE!!!!

Thais have an excuse.. you don't... LEAVE.

CS

My friend Gordon would like to ask:

I understand your comments but for personal and financial reasons i can't afford to bring my wife and son back to England and more importantly live a lifestyle which would best benefit us all.

On your comments about schooling you're probably on the whole correct, but trust me, in London's comprehensive schools a lot of children struggle to read and write properly by even at age 11. Also there is no dicipline in the schools where children often verbally and sometimes physically attack the teachers on a daily basis. In London especially, with violence on the increase, schools are virtually like prisons. I know many people who given the choice would not bring their children up in England.

I'm just trying to find some middle ground, and in the next couple of years will bring my son and wife to Bangkok , rent a nice air conditioned condo and send him to the best bi lingual school possible if I can find one.

Sometimes in life its about doing the best you can ,with what you have available ,but i appreciate your comments anyway and if you have any other constructive advice it would be much appreciated.

[CosmicSurfer]

My friend Gordon would like to ask:

I understand your comments but for personal and financial reasons i can't afford to bring my wife and son back to England and more importantly live a lifestyle which would best benefit us all.

On your comments about schooling you're probably on the whole correct, but trust me, in London's comprehensive schools a lot of children struggle to read and write properly by even at age 11. Also there is no dicipline in the schools where children often verbally and sometimes physically attack the teachers on a daily basis. In London especially, with violence on the increase, schools are virtually like prisons. I know many people who given the choice would not bring their children up in England.

I'm just trying to find some middle ground, and in the next couple of years will bring my son and wife to Bangkok , rent a nice air conditioned condo and send him to the best bi lingual school possible if I can find one.

Sometimes in life its about doing the best you can ,with what you have available ,but i appreciate your comments anyway and if you have any other constructive advice it would be much appreciated.

I'm past pulling punches in Thailand, or allowing people to hide behind the adage the "it's the Thai way.. or It's Thai Culture"... Bad and destructive and negative.. is just what it is.. and the more Thais hide behind these excuses the further they fall into their rut, while even Vietnam and soon Laos surpass them.

I'm from North America.. blessed with Dual citizenship which allows me to pick and choose... and for both Health Care and Kids Educational reasons, when I head back it will be to Canada.

In the USA I'd die from the lack of reasonable Medical care.. and my Kid would die from the lack of Gun Control.. or rampant and overbearing conservative brainwashing... and no... It isn't a "Christian" nation... the creator referred to by the Founding Fathers was our Parents.. Idiots!!!! My father was particularly "endowed", and he "endowed" me... making my wife eternally grateful... If you are not American you may not get this dig... But back on Topic....

I'm sorry to tell you the Facts of life.... If you can't afford to return to the UK (I assume you're from there) and find a good school there... then You will never be able to afford a "GOOD" school here....

Forget Bilingual schools... They are just a sop to the parents and a way for the schoold to Bilk the poor thai suckers of higher fees... None of them will benifit you kid at all... They all still have bad teachers, worse books, and No standards.

Your only option is an "International school"... but though I've personally never taught in one, I do have friends who have.... and anyone that may be close to what seems to be your budget is probably too expensive and won't really give you kid the education he/she deserves.... If they have a Thai Admin.. Thai Staff ... Thai teachers... or more the 40% Thai student body (I'm being generous) forget it. They operate to the same standards as the public schools... But really Hi-So expat ones may.. repeat "May" be better. But i wouldn't count on it, and I certainly can't afford to find out either.

To answer both you and the other poster before you, these are some specific reasons. I can't touch all the bases in any detail here, but this will flesh out my thoughts and observations somewhat::

Thai schools, like the rest of Thai society puts money First.. not education. There is no money spent on the meaningful things.. It's all spent on superficial fluff.. Buildings, etc.... But None on good text books, the most basic laboratory equipment or even decent sports equipment.... In eight years I've never seen a decently equiped gym.... some schols are lucky to have a paved over play area... some have a muddy field.. some have decent grounds.. but Never a decent gym. Some have computers... usually old and outdated models that are loaded full of games... But back to the academic side...

There is No Academic side... more value is placed on "Getting" a good grade, then "earning" it.... in other words, Cheating, copying and outright plagerism is rampent and condoned. Direct Cut & Paste is expected and rewarded by Thai admin and teachers.... Test, or exams are ALL 100% Multiple choice... Learning by route is the norm.. Thinking is not taught, encouraged or expected. .. and the English Exams (even University Entrance Exams) are full of ambiguous question, questions with more than one correct answer, questions with terrible grammer, questions with NO correct answer... (I think that covers most of those issues)....

Example... When one student in the "gifted" student program at the last High school I was at (One of the oldest and best in Bangkok, established by King V, know for producing more than a handful of Prime ministers, including 2 of the last 3)... when this student didn't get a passing grade his Uncle (on the Parents/teachers bord) came in to brow-beat his teacher.. Not me... He insisted that his nephew get a higher grade because a low grade would look bad on his record and he would have a problem getting into a top USA university.... Admin kept pushing to get this kid a higher mark... Even after writing make-up tests 3 times, he still failed... All they were interested in was that we find some way to get the kid a good grade... Never once did anyone think that even if we gave the kid a 100% mark... he would still fail his Toefl test, and he would never be able to get through even one year in an American university... No degree buying in the USA... But easy to buy your way out of High School with a decent grade here...

Next.... Nobody worries about students wandering around school at all hours making noise outside the classes, the general atmosphere is nothing that promotes any kind of Academic learning atmosphere... but Learning is not why they are there... otherwise Learning would be the priority... not spending Days using class time to Prepare for Sports Day, taking days off to run to all kinds of "Camps"... or losing class time so that they can get lectured to and screamed at over out-of-tune loudspeakers every morning for the most trivial infractions and slights to the good name of the school.... never a thought to the priority of learning... but all hel_l breaks loose if their hair is too long, or they aren't wearing the correct uniform, or forget to grovel infront of some teacher with an inflated ego.... Classes canceled, days lost, bad books, cheating unpunished, and terrible teachers....

Which leads me to extra-curricular after-school activities.. the proper place and time to do all these none-learning related things... But they can't do it then, becaiuse everyone is off to 'Tutor Class" ..or weekend tutors... be sure to budget for tutors... sometimes given by the same teachers who magically don't have time in class to cover the curriculum, so the student must pay more in the hopes of finally getting some knowledge... because all that counts are the Entrance tests for University... Regular class grades are meaningless as all students are fully aware that NOBODY Fails....

And Primary schools are no different....

Maybe in the TOP international schools... the ones for Expat executives and diplomats.. Cost between 300-500,000 baht a semester Plus, Plus.... maybe those are better... but I wouldn't count on it... they are still in Thailand and influenced by Thai culture and sense of what is important....

But the truth of the situation is in the world around you... Have you ever met a really well educated Thai that hasn't been to school outside of Thailand... and don't even those have a slightly warped sense of logic and what is right and wrong.... have you taken a good look at the English language Thai newspapers and seen all the nonsensical stories, short on facts and full of gramatical errors.... Why is Thailand falling so far behind in the developing world? Why doesn't Democracy work here? Why is corruption so rampant? Why don't even the educated Thais have any sense that things will improve in the long-run?

Why is Nothing ever done to improve education in Thailand?

CS

[JimShortz]

I'm afraid I have to agree with CosmicSurfer - International schools are the only way to go. I have no idea of what international schools there are in Isan, but you should start looking! I teach in an international school in Chiang Mai and, having been educated in a good British Comprehensive School (yes, there are good ones - it just depends where you are...), I wish I had gone to an international school here instead! Our kids, in my opinion, get a really good education and are well prepared for life after school - they even genuinely enjoy their school life; honestly! I wish I could say the same of my educational experience... The kids also end up very culturally aware, all speak at least two languages, and many speak 3 or 4. I wish I could! They are most definitely taught to question and think for themselves - something that kids coming from Thai schools just don't have; they are taught it is disrespectful to question your teacher. Oh dear...

I work with a few teachers who have come to us after teaching at the "best" Thai schools in Chiang Mai, and they come with horror stories. They talk of inflexible admin, a grading system that simply doesn't allow failure (they have, in many cases, to give kids at least a low pass regardless of effort or attainment. Oh dear...), and classes supposedly taught in English, such as Science, where the English part is a long-winded introduction to the lesson in poor English whilst all the kids switch off followed by a nice clear explanation of everything all over again in Thai. The kids just ignore the English and wait for the Thai! Oh dear... This is backed up by kids coming from these "best" Thai schools to test for us at ages 11 or 12. The kids have glowing reports and great English scores, but mostly have a very low level of English and are, unfortunately, unable to join us.

I think it is very important to set kids off on the right foot - start with the education system you plan to follow. I'm lucky, teaching in an international school means that my son gets a free international education - worth a lot to me. Even if I wasn't, I think I would bend over backwards to pay for a proper international education - and from Year 1, possibly even Kindergarten; certainly not leaving it until 7 or 8 years old as many people seem to choose to do. The logic of parents doing this seems to go along the line of "well, the early years don't really matter, lets send them to a bi-lingual kindergarten - it's cheaper. We'll put them in an international school later..." Personally I think this is a massively flawed argument. The 7 or 8 year olds we receive from this background spend years playing catch-up. They haven't learnt the basics properly, they haven't been taught to develop independence, etc... Talk about starting from back field...

Anyway, enough of my rant. I hope this advice is helpful to someone.

PS the costs of international education, in Chiang Mai anyway, are nothing like the figures I often see quoted. Here in Chiang Mai there are a couple of more expensive schools, and then the other four international schools have similar(ish) prices. Two semesters per year, starting at about 50,000 per semester for the youngest kids up to a around 100,000 semester for the oldest ones. a lot of money? Most certainly. Worth it? I think so... but then... I don't have to pay :D

My last advice - honest! think carefully about what you want from your international school. What qualifications do the schools offer? do they do after school activities? Do they have trips away? What country's curriculum do they follow? Can you have access to detailed curriculum documents?

Check out the websites - get google going - and then get into the schools. Ask for a tour during lesson times. Talk with the principal. Visit more than once. Arrive at the end of the day and chat with parents. Visit some school events (most have regular PTO events). In other words, make an effort to make a real informed decision. Glossy brochures, and even pretty classrooms and grounds, do not a good school make! Be sure to look beneath the gloss!

[PeaceBlondie]

Our other mods may edit some posts here for being too negative about Thailand, but I find the comments to be generally true about most Thai schools.

[Arkady]

An interesting fact to bear in mind when comparing Thai education with the UK in particular, is that several years ago the Thai Ministry of Education approved British GCSE exams (the public examination normally taken at 15 or 16 years old, formerly called O levels) as equivalent to Mathyom 6 which means Thai university entrance. If the Ministry made that decision, you can be sure they erred on the side of caution and didn't want to denigrate their national system too much. Therefore it is actually more likely that Thai M6 graduates are actually only equivalent 13 or 14 year old British kids. A related fact is that many wealthy Thai kids are sent to independent schools in England at about 13 years old until GCSEs. Then they quit the British system and can be admitted even to Chula or Thammasat at 16 or 17 and have no trouble keeping up with the other first year 17 or 18 year olds. If you look at the text books that even fourth year English majors use in Thai universities, it is easy to understand this. They read no English literature but use childish illustrated books on basic English grammar and take mainly multiple choice exams. I have met Chula and Thammasat English majors whose command of English was quite good and they obviously have good teachers who care, but English major graduates from most Thai universities have a command of English which is less than the grasp of modern languages of British school leavers who have passed A levels in modern languages. Briitish modern language students at university are expected to know the grammar already and mainly study literature in the foreign language.

Conclusion: avoid all Thai schools and unversities, except the best international schools. If your kid is a look krueng, it is a shame to palm him or her off with a low quality Thai education, when you know better.

[rockyysdt]

Even if I wasn't, I think I would bend over backwards to pay for a proper international education - and from Year 1, possibly even Kindergarten; certainly not leaving it until 7 or 8 years old as many people seem to choose to do. The logic of parents doing this seems to go along the line of "well, the early years don't really matter, lets send them to a bi-lingual kindergarten - it's cheaper. We'll put them in an international school later..." Personally I think this is a massively flawed argument. The 7 or 8 year olds we receive from this background spend years playing catch-up. They haven't learnt the basics properly, they haven't been taught to develop independence, etc... Talk about starting from back field...

Yes.

Research suggest that attitudes learned between birth & six seep into our subconscious & form our core beliefs through life.

Poor influence at a young age can result in considerable damage to ones self belief.

The best education starts with ones parents.

Being taught to be positive, happy & self confident are very important.

Clever parents teach their kids to read before they even get to kindergarten.

Unfortunately poor parents don't have these skills and usually pass on their bad qualities.

From there on I'm right behind you regarding quality schooling from the beginning.

[CosmicSurfer]

In the early years kids are sponges... it's when they get older that learning blocks set in.... Whether erected from peer pressure, teacher/student/parent conflicts, or rejection for one reason or another of school, friends, subject matter, or even just boredom.

If money is to be spent do it to support those sponge years...

Like any well built structure, a good foundation will support everything else thrown at it.

CS

[Scott]

I've always suspected that school systems are the main conduit for reinforcing the values of a society. If it were the other way around, then societies around the world would be more functional and there would be a lot less nationalism/xenophobia.

If you look at schools they are generally nothing more than a mini-cosmos of the general society. So in the US, you have guns in schools (well metal detectors), as you do on the streets. Here you have students who are basically taught to sit and listen to someone for hours and have no idea what they said. I've been to a hundred meetings that are the same. Etc. etc.

Even in a lot of Western countries, it isn't until the University level that there is real questioning of the world we live in. Unfortunately here, that isn't allowed to happen, even then.

I have to agree with PeaceBlondie. This topic is very interesting, but care must be taken not to become too negative.

[stoneman]

We live in Udon Thani and we have a 6 year old son in a private school here..The school is Patana Panya...It is the only truly bilingual school in Udon...1/2 the teachers are native English speakers and teach their subjects in English...the other teachers are Thai and teach their classes in Thai..

This is only the 3rd year for this school and we are very pleased...

Last year the total enrollment was about 25 students with about 15 faculty members...This year the enrollment has jumped to over 50 and an increase in the staff...

Great School..

Stoneman

An English friend is the proud father of an eight month Thai born boy and is thinking about his educational future.

He's keen to ensure his son gets a good start at a primary school which specialises in quality English language classes as well as Thai.

Can anyone recommend a suitable, presumably private, school in and around Udon Thani?

He'll also need to know what kind of fees would apply.

I suppose the options could be an integrated (English/Thai) scholl, or a quality Thai school & seek external English classes.

The wife and child currently live in a village in Isaan and would need to move to a suitable apartment or home close to school.

Are apartments or homes expensive to lease in Udon Thani?

Any assistance is appreciated.

cheers.

[scorecard]

After 8 years teaching in some of the Best Public schools in Bangkok, I would NEVER let any of my own kids get an education at any school in this country... at any level.

There is no way that I would subject them to the demeaning atmosphere, brain-dead teachers and admin, and totally substandard system on every level...

I told my wife... if she gets pregnant we leave... max 2-3 years here so the kid gets a grounding of Thai... then 2-3 years back home before school starts so he/she can speak English well enough to be comfortable meeting new friends and get a REAL education... one where they learn how to think.... My wife can teach him/her Thai.. Then if he/she wants to come back here he/she can easily get a Hi-So job for Real Money...

If you love your Kid... treat him/her right... Get him/her a real education and don't subject him/Her to the torture and serfhood of a Thai school.

Take the kid and LEAVE!!!!

Thais have an excuse.. you don't... LEAVE.

CS

I find this post to be bordering on irresponsible.

Almost every country has a range of quality in schools and the same is true of Thaliand:

- Extremely expensve international schools with low quality and in many cases they are just money machines

- Extremely expensve international schools with good quality

- Bi-lingual schools which are low quality and and in many cases they are just money machines

- Bi-lingual schools which are high quality

- Governemnt schools which are extremely low quality and have up to 60 to 70 children in one class room let alone lack of resources and lack of well trained teachers

- Government schools which are not all that bad, and especially schools which are part of the new 'E' program system

I have submitted a number of posts previously in regard to my search for a bi-lingual school (in Bangkok) for my Thai granddaughter.

Can I suggest you search my old posts in regard to Amnuay Silpa Bi-lingual School in Sri Ayudtha Road (Phya Thai area) in Bangkok. They follow a British curriculum, start at lower kindergarten and go right through to end of high school. Most classes have a maximum of 12 students, air conditioning, lots of good quality modern equipment, there's a big emphasis on speaking English and this is done with a professional systematic approach using specifically trained farang teachers, they have a good track record of students finishing high school being accepted into universities abroad, and there costs are not too bad (well below international schools) and there is zero additional start up rip off. Good sports facilities including swimming pool, soccer pitch, basketball, lots of additional activities at very reasonable cost, food is good, kitchen area is very clean, very focused on safety etc. Run by an education foundation rather than a family business. Started decades ago my an ex Prime Minister, in fact 3 Thai PMs have come from this school.

Your post is very inciteful but also very frightening.

I agree that children between the ages of birth & six are extremely impressionable.

If they are taught not to think at pre school then they may become locked into a negative mindset.

Which country are you originally from.

My friend indicated that many schools in Britain are also ghettos for kids with violence & poor teaching standards appear to be the norm.

It seems the answers are limited which way you look.

In your experience can you give specific examples of the poor standards of thai teaching?