E-Sarn University The Key Suspect In Sale Of Diplomas

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UNIVERSITY SCANDAL

E-Sarn the key suspect in sale of diplomas

By CHULEEPORN ARAMNET

THE NATION

Khon Kaen

Many irregularities, with hundreds of graduates having same ID: probe finds

Many irregularities involving the buying and selling of teacher diplomas have been detected in the scandal engulfing E-sarn University, according to a probe by Deputy Education Minister Chaiyos Jiramethakorn.

Details will be given at a press conference today.

In a meeting with Assadang Sawaengnam, rector of the private university based in Khon Kaen province, Chaiyos said Assadang could not produce registration details of all students.

He allegedly claimed records had been burnt and disposed of.

Chaiyos said despite a limit of 100 students in its teachers' courses per year, E-sarn University had admitted more than 1,000 - and the accumulative number of graduates from the course totalled 2,377, with many students suspiciously assigned the same ID numbers.

The deputy minister said E-sarn University had failed to hire lecturers in sufficient numbers required by regulations, and had opened campuses at 10 locations, six more than permits allowed.

Chaiyos has confirmed the university assigned graduates to attend apprenticeship courses at only 23 schools, but had notified the Office of Higher Education Commission they had attended 54 schools.

"All evidence is sufficient for action to be taken against E-sarn University, and all details will be made public at a ministry press conference [today]," he said.

Chaiyos said a parallel investigation would continue by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) into applications and admissions of government teachers to all schools and universities, following claims of fake or illegally-earned diplomas.

Somkiat Phaetkhun, a senior public prosecutor appointed by E-sarn University as head of an internal investigation panel, said there had not been sufficient evidence to determine whether diplomas were bought and sold at the university.

"The Council of University Presidents of Thailand [CUTP] will be presented with all details from E-sarn University [today] and will make an initial decision.

"[it will take more time] to tell who has done wrong," he said.

Khrusapha - alternatively the Teachers' Council of Thailand - is waiting for results in its independent investigation to determine whether graduates really attended the course at 34 schools out of the total 54.

Khrusapha secretary-general Ongkorn Amornsirinant had earlier announced a nationwide investigation into the authenticity of teachers' diplomas admitting them to schools and universities.

Teachers found to have bought diplomas or degrees would be stripped of their positions, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-26

[Scott]

Oh my, a Thai alternative to Khao San Road.

[thunder30101]

I dont see the problem even if they do attend they dont learn anything, its all about the money and paper in the end. Too bad for esarn as they are the only ones being punished when they all do it.

[richard10365]

I dont see the problem even if they do attend they dont learn anything, its all about the money and paper in the end. Too bad for esarn as they are the only ones being punished when they all do it.

I disagree. They do learn, it's not only about the money and paper and I believe most students earn their degrees. The ones who bought their degrees should face the consequences of their actions.

[thunder30101]

Good for you, another head in the sand.

[richard10365]

Good for you, another head in the sand.

Another head full of sand.

[Scott]

I get quite disgusted with the country at times. I had sincerely hoped, although I knew it was only wishful thinking, that the country was making an effort to up grade the level of education.

It created a lot of consternation for people already teaching, but in the long run, it should help the country.

But the idea of a short-cut, an easy way, is so prevalent in the thinking of so many people, that it took very little time for corruption to enter and for someone to find a way to make a quick buck.

One can hope, but I guess hope is as far as it will go for a long, long time.

[jcartermad]

Scott - even if they, (E Sarn University) had 1000 teachers and met every MOE regulation would the quality of students improve? Would the degree be any more creditable? Does anyone fail any course?

At my school I only failed one student...she failed to attend the end of term exams and that accounted for 40% of the grade. She needed 50 out of the remaining 60% to pass. Sadly she only had 35%. If she had attended the end of term examinations she would have easily passed. I felt sorry for her. Domestic issues prevented her attendance. Luckily the school has offerred a re-sit.

Any back to E-SARN. What do you think they made? Did the money go into the university coffers or did they buy PG Tips tea bags? Who gained?

Regards - John

I get quite disgusted with the country at times. I had sincerely hoped, although I knew it was only wishful thinking, that the country was making an effort to up grade the level of education.

It created a lot of consternation for people already teaching, but in the long run, it should help the country.

But the idea of a short-cut, an easy way, is so prevalent in the thinking of so many people, that it took very little time for corruption to enter and for someone to find a way to make a quick buck.

One can hope, but I guess hope is as far as it will go for a long, long time.

[thunder30101]

There is no such thing as a no fail policy here, what you have is students know that if they dont complete the course requirements (attendance, testing, etc.) they can just take a remedial class in which they WILL get their grade to move along in the system. The admin and teachers love this system because it is another revenue stream for them just like the cut and paste books they sell students at an outrageous price(higher than a real textbook which they hate because they cant teach it), and before someone starts droning on about the low wages teachers are paid why should they get any more ???? most teachers but not all of them cannot even pass tests in their own subjects.

[jcartermad]

I know a ThaI English teacher, MA and all that! String a verbal reply...NO WAY! Great grammar but speaking is a NO NO.

About 85% of her lessons are in Thai. The other 15% is writting. The students read well, understand grammar but are strangley silent with farang teachers when their paths cross. NICE.

There is no such thing as a no fail policy here, what you have is students know that if they dont complete the course requirements (attendance, testing, etc.) they can just take a remedial class in which they WILL get their grade to move along in the system. The admin and teachers love this system because it is another revenue stream for them just like the cut and paste books they sell students at an outrageous price(higher than a real textbook which they hate because they cant teach it), and before someone starts droning on about the low wages teachers are paid why should they get any more ???? most teachers but not all of them cannot even pass tests in their own subjects.

[Scott]

JC: I don't know that this thread is about the no-fail system in Thailand. It's about a very corrupt practice that has rather suddenly become widespread.

The rich and the elite have always been able to buy degrees and sometimes they get caught. I suspect it is the same throughout much of the world, but in most developed countries it is rare.

Education is a huge area and employs a lot of people. As a general rule, it's a good idea to have well educated people meeting some criteria who teach the children. Arguments abound about what makes a good teacher, but as a broad generalization, an education is a good place to start.

This has been undermined on a large scale.

[richard10365]

Sometimes I wonder if the people commenting on these threads even go to a university in Thailand in any capacity (teachers, students, or staff). Students do fail and they have to take the course again. I see students fail every semester at my university in Chiang Mai. Some students have been here 5 or 6 years trying to earn their BA degree. I have even failed a course that was difficult. I had to wait a year and then I took the course again and passed it.

I'm not saying corruption does not exist here in Thailand. I'm sure it does. But you could not run a country with over 60 million people without having some very educated people here. Also, not everyone leaves the country to get an education. Many people do work hard to study and earn a degree here. It is ignorant to think they don't.

Corruption exist outside of Thailand as well. Here is a nice little story about forged documents in the USA. Click here. It's amazing America is able to function with so many forged credentials.

With the comments of some posters on ThaiVisa, I have no idea why they come to Thailand. It seems they clearly don't like the system or the people. Maybe life is different in other parts of Thailand. I am glad I live in Chiang Mai.

[Scott]

The no-fail 'policy' applies to elementary and secondary education.

[Xangsamhua]

The no-fail 'policy' applies to elementary and secondary education.

Even in primary and secondary education some small inroads have been made in schools I am familiar with (M6 students; students in primary who have failed spectacularly - answer nothing, etc).

In Thailand I would worry about students being failed by unqualified and not very competent teachers. I'm not getting into the qualifications argument really - I know some (many?) teachers without formal training are very good and grow in the job, but some I have heard bemoaning the no-fail policy do not have the credibility to justify failing their students. Rather, in those cases I would think the teacher has failed to teach or to assess properly. These teachers may not remain long in the school, but in the meantime they are evaluating students without sufficient ability to do so.

If you're keen to fail students, be sure you've taught them well, and that your assessment and testing is fair. That's where teacher training helps: knowing some criteria for what is good, bad and excellent teaching, being assessed yourself at university before being set loose on the kids, and knowing how to assess kids and write valid tests.

[onlycw]

Have you heard of Masters classes where students are allowed to use their textbooks during exams?

Are you aware of universities dishing out As and Bs en masse?

Enough said. There is indeed an enormous problem!

A friend has a Masters degree in English and after some months, it became apparent that she would not or could not

communicate with foreign students whom to liaise with was her role.

One university priced in a luxury trip to Europe. The academic value was questionable, unless visits to a diamond wholesale business in Amsterdam and to Grand marnier in Paris count as related to their studies.

Truth be told, I wonder if more than a select few of those who got As for essay type exams would have even met the 40% hurdle of a normal UK university.

I feel no glee and no superiority but wonder whether some fancy masters degrees do have any international or real world value?