EDUCATION

Abhisit aghast at lack of knowledge

By THE NATION

Academics call on universities to help with reform, take charge of youngsters

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is quite worried about the country's educational system because students have lamentably poor knowledge in science, mathematics and English.

Speaking at a recent meeting of executives from medical schools, Abhisit said students had got alarmingly low scores during the recent Ordinary National Educational Test (O-Net).

"So many children got zero in maths, even though it was a multiple-choice test," he said. "I can't believe that our children can be this stupid."

He also said he found some science students from Chulalongkorn University were unable to do even the most basic of fractions.

"Thai children, in general, don't have a good command of the English language either. That's a weakness too," he said.

In a separate event yesterday, academics called on universities to take the country's ongoing educational reform seriously.

The reform is into its second decade.

"It will not be successful if everybody thinks that the reform is the sole duty of the Education Ministry. Everyone should lend a hand. Universities, in particular, should get involved for the sake of Thai children," Office of the Education Council secretary-general Tongthong Chandransu said.

Yongyut Yuttawong, who sits on the committee overseeing educational reform, said higher-education institutes should ensure that their courses suit employers' needs better. "The institutes should engage employers in designing their courses," he suggested.

He also emphasised that universities should instil morality and wisdom in their students.

"The spoon-feeding should be cut down and more focus should be placed on quality," he added.

Chainarong Intarameesap, another member of the panel, said teachers and university lecturers should be resourceful, responsible and morally sound because only such people could inspire students and set good examples.

He added that if the country wanted graduates who were fluent in English, then lecturers who are also proficient in the language should teach them.

Chulalongkorn University lecturer Sompong Jitradab, also a committee member, said the focus should also be on teachers at the pre-university level.

He said relevant authorities should introduce measures that stop teachers being preoccupied with pursuing higher academic ranks. Since higher academic ranks mean higher salaries, many teachers spend far too much time and effort on their studies rather than on their students.

"Schools should offer more |activity-based lessons as well," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-27

Not supprising, I've spoken to quite a few international students who were on placements at Uni's such as Chulalongkorn. In general they couldn't beleive the lack of professsionalism amongst the students and teachers.

Does Abhisit actually live in Thailand and interact with people there? If so this should come as no surprise.

To get zero in a multiple-choice test, you actually have to try pretty dam_n hard.

That said, if academic aptitude and knowledge really started improving across the board, I imagine a few people in positions of authority might begin to get a little nervous...

Did Abhisit really say "I can't believe that our children can be this stupid."?

Does anyone have the quote in Thai?

They might want to rethink their "no fail" policy then and make the kids actually work at what they are doing, rather than paying for their "certificates" - i realize that is a "blanket" statement.

They might want to rethink their "no fail" policy then and make the kids actually work at what they are doing, rather than paying for their "certificates" - i realize that is a "blanket" statement.

no fail policy due to be phased out in 2012, or so I'm told by a very high placed and respected teacher[my wife]

Mr Abhisit you've woken and smelled the roses...and found they don't smell so nice after all.

I can't believe that our children can be this stupid

I've been saying this for the last thirty years and it doesn't seem to improve....

Well past time for a MAJOR shake up in the education system in this country. Especially the public sector where IMHO the teachers are probably the worst in the world.

no fail policy due to be phased out in 2012

It should never have been introduced. Whoever started that must have been out of their mind.

"I can't believe that our children can be this stupid."

again bad English... he should have said 'uneducated', but maybe he thinks that this really is a physical disability that has little chance of being changed. This statement must be a shock to most Thais who think they are superiorly intelligent just because they are Thai. But then again, they probably will just ignore it and think it is incorrect.I do know that when it comes to accounting, I have never seen people work so hard and long at keeping track of sales in a store. I could only imagine how long they would be at it if they had sales tax to figure into the equation. I tell you what is stupid, when someone like me who won math contests understands calculus, statistics, differential equations... isn't considered qualified to teach math here because I left University early and didn't finish my degree. You can only help those that are ready to be helped.

Edited April 27, 201115 yr by Rimmer
Font size

Abhisit: "So many children got zero in maths, even though it was a multiple-choice test," he said. "I can't believe that our children can be this stupid."

Zero is an indictment of the teachers and the system that is perpetuated. I take the last line to mean, he doesn't think the students are that stupid, he thinks they can and should know this, but are not being taught in a way that lets them know this.

And then there is the likely main root cause.

Save the family face idiocy,

pass the kid, whether he knows the material or not,

so the family doesn't lose face.

IMHO this loses more family face than making sure the kid knows the material before moving on.What is the point of educating your child if you let him move on without the KNOWLEDGE in his head?

You have created an inept child with little ability to function as a productive adult, but with all face intact.... till he falls down repeatedly in real life. A serial lose of face from incompetence.

I firmly think this creates a infinitely greater lose of face for the family.

Edited April 27, 201115 yr by animatic

This kind of thing starts at home at an early age.

Thinking for yourself and questioning things is not stimulated at all. If fact, it is actively smothered.

Rote learning is still king here. All this drivel about morality and wisdom is just the same old line that is parroted. Anything that is outside Thailand, does not exist to these people.

What is needed is teaching kids actual knowledge. To teach critical thinking. Not all this 'Do not question anything your elders say'. There is no creative thinking here. Just childish preservation of face.

The question 'Why' is never asked.

I'll give brief example: Across the soi of my wife's old company location, there is an elementary school. One day some boys threw some glass into the yard where the dogs run around. She went to the school, to find out who did it. The boys were found confessed. Before my wife could admonish them and explain to them why this is bad, their teacher jumped it and said: If you do this, the Police will take you away!

<deleted>? No, you do not do this because it will hurt the dogs or anyone who steps on the glass, you stupid woman! Cops don't arrest 6 years olds.

There is no interest here in getting people to think for themselves, because this threatens the status quo. If kids and young people get properly educated, they will eventually stop 'respecting' certain institutions here and stop accepting the rife incompetence and corruption of the Government.

Topless girls dancing in the street is more important than local government stealing cash out of flood relief funds or actually punishing 16 year old girls (and their parents) hitting vans killing people.

They might want to rethink their "no fail" policy then and make the kids actually work at what they are doing, rather than paying for their "certificates" - i realize that is a "blanket" statement.

no fail policy due to be phased out in 2012, or so I'm told by a very high placed and respected teacher[my wife]

I didn't even know about that policy. Wow, that is huge! There will be a lot of people failing soon. Talk about something which kills the incentive to achieve.

I wonder how many other really bad policies there are. I just found out that all those roof tiles everyone uses are made from Asbestos and this material can be used until 2014. NO wonder so many people, non-smokers, are coughing and dying of lung cancer.

"I can't believe that our children can be this stupid."

- again bad English... he should have said 'uneducated', but maybe he thinks that this really is a physical disability that has little chance of being changed. This statement must be a shock to most Thais who think they are superiorly intelligent just because they are Thai. But then again, they probably will just ignore it and think it is incorrect.

I do know that when it comes to accounting, I have never seen people work so hard and long at keeping track of sales in a store. I could only imagine how long they would be at it if they had sales tax to figure into the equation.

I tell you what is stupid, when someone like me who won math contests understands calculus, statistics, differential equations... isn't considered qualified to teach math here because I left University early and didn't finish my degree. You can only help those that are ready to be helped.

Amen to that. It seems that the only respect one gets here, is when they answer the question, "What university did you graduate from?" They are clueless, the value of 40+ yrs of, on the job training, education, experiences, learned information by peers, friends, elders, neighbors, etc, over their life time. I think what Abisit might have meant was how ignorant the children are and how stupid the educational system is.

To get zero in a multiple-choice test, you actually have to try pretty dam_n hard.

its understandable, if you realize that they probably can't read.

Edited April 27, 201115 yr by bitterbatter

who to blame? even Taksin's English is still Snake fish fish....then...

not surprised!....

there are 2 uni from Singapore in 200 world uni rankin'...in SE Asia..

imagine.......... how good the rest will be?

Yongyut Yuttawong,................

He also emphasised that universities should instil morality and wisdom in their students.

One of those can only be taught by example, which is seldom done, and the other cannot be taught at all.

Yongyut Yuttawong,................

He added that if the country wanted graduates who were fluent in English, then lecturers who are also proficient in the language should teach them.

No shit Sherlock, you managed to work that one out all by yourself, give the man a cigar.... and some more medals.

"I can't believe that our children can be this stupid."

- again bad English... he should have said 'uneducated',

He was just being straight and to the point, which as a politician is actually somewhat admirable.

I tell you what is stupid, when someone like me who won math contests understands calculus, statistics, differential equations... isn't considered qualified to teach math here because I left University early and didn't finish my degree. You can only help those that are ready to be helped.

University drop outs aren't usually given teaching jobs in most countries. Part of the importance of attending university is not just aptitude at a given field but the patience to see it to the end. If you were unwilling to put in the time into your own education how can we assume you will see to the needs of pupils? I am not completely in agreement with this but it is normal. Go anywhere else in the world that isn't a complete third world joke and tell them you didn't graduate but are good at math... you won't be considered. I do not really believe in the value society places on a degree but such is life. I am very good at Japanese characters but do not expect that I would be allowed to formally teach it just because of that.

I am not to sure about the no fail policy being an actual policy. My nephew was failed last year and is in the 10th grade. They actually wouldn't let him back into the same school because his grades were too low. He must now switch to another school which is quite a distance from his home. It is not entirely his fault or that of the school. It is because his father makes him work until late in the night helping him with his business. I was quite amazed that he was failed but this was by a non government school. The government schools are absolutely horrible with lax rules and poor quality teachers. They are designed to teach the students just enough to be the laborers of this country.

Mr Abhisit you've woken and smelled the roses...and found they don't smell so nice after all.

I can't believe that our children can be this stupid

I've been saying this for the last thirty years and it doesn't seem to improve....

Well past time for a MAJOR shake up in the education system in this country. Especially the public sector where IMHO the teachers are probably the worst in the world.

Picture this, Provincial town- High school13-18 years. The students do NOT know N.S.E.W.......am. pm.....Highest mountains. longest rivers. countries of the world. capitols. animals of the world and where they live. If you asked them how to get to Phuket from Udon-no Idea. this is a very small example of what they know, and thats apart from Maths English and the rest. Example being, at 11 years and secondary school in England, I already knew the answers to the earlier basic things mentioned. Talking about maths, basic divide by 10--remove the last number-yes ?? here NO IDEA. IS it the kids ?? or is it the Teachers ?? Or who ???

It's alright for academics and the like having certain systems of teaching--most of the education system is over the top, They are teaching what is a noun-or a verb- and a little more advanced subjects....THEY ARE FORGETTING the basic -open your eyes general knowledge-GEOGRAPHY. BASIC before advanced stuff please !!!!!

AH well - the fugitive will make an election promise "I will make everyone have a Ph D within 1 year and a Professorship in two" ! i can just see his square face as he says it. Then he'll make Jatuporn education minister who will say "its part of the army coup to make people ignorant" - Thank God Abhisit at least has a grip on reality - wait till the PTP take over - then the uneducated will be goven a billion baht village fund to STAY ignorant - i see dark clouds ahead!!

"So many children got zero in maths, even though it was a multiple-choice test," he said. "I can't believe that our children can be this stupid."[/size]

Believe it!

who to blame? even Taksin's English is still Snake fish fish....then...

not surprised!....

there are 2 uni from Singapore in 200 world uni rankin'...in SE Asia..

imagine.......... how good the rest will be?

Judging by your postings - not very!!

"I can't believe that our children can be this stupid."

- again bad English... he should have said 'uneducated',

He was just being straight and to the point, which as a politician is actually somewhat admirable.

I tell you what is stupid, when someone like me who won math contests understands calculus, statistics, differential equations... isn't considered qualified to teach math here because I left University early and didn't finish my degree. You can only help those that are ready to be helped.

University drop outs aren't usually given teaching jobs in most countries. Part of the importance of attending university is not just aptitude at a given field but the patience to see it to the end. If you were unwilling to put in the time into your own education how can we assume you will see to the needs of pupils? I am not completely in agreement with this but it is normal. Go anywhere else in the world that isn't a complete third world joke and tell them you didn't graduate but are good at math... you won't be considered. I do not really believe in the value society places on a degree but such is life. I am very good at Japanese characters but do not expect that I would be allowed to formally teach it just because of that.

Guess I may have to forsake my moral ethics, and go buy a degree like everyone else does.

Does Abhisit actually live in Thailand and interact with people there? If so this should come as no surprise.

Yes he lives in Thailans but he never went to school here. and he associates with other polititions and army generals, enough said?

I wonder if you started selling calculators in Thailand that gave incorrect answers, how long would it take before someone noticed?

who to blame? even Taksin's English is still Snake fish fish....then...

not surprised!....

there are 2 uni from Singapore in 200 world uni rankin'...in SE Asia..

imagine.......... how good the rest will be?

Judging by your postings - not very!!

I understand dunkins posts, takes a while to get the flavour but He's o.k..... if his posts are not to your liking , fine but why do you have to write about his style that way-everyones not perfect. and I am one of those and admit it !!!

Does Abhisit actually live in Thailand and interact with people there? If so this should come as no surprise.

Yes he lives in Thailans but he never went to school here. and he associates with other polititions and army generals, enough said?

That was pretty much my point.

Abhisit: "So many children got zero in maths, even though it was a multiple-choice test," he said. "I can't believe that our children can be this stupid."

Zero is an indictment of the teachers and the system that is perpetuated. I take the last line to mean, he doesn't think the students are that stupid, he thinks they can and should know this, but are not being taught in a way that lets them know this.

And then there is the likely main root cause.

Save the family face idiocy,

pass the kid, whether he knows the material or not,

so the family doesn't lose face.

IMHO this loses more family face than making sure the kid knows the material before moving on.What is the point of educating your child if you let him move on without the KNOWLEDGE in his head?

You have created an inept child with little ability to function as a productive adult, but with all face intact.... till he falls down repeatedly in real life. A serial lose of face from incompetence.

I firmly think this creates a infinitely greater lose of face for the family.

Right, this is one point, the other is the bad instruction of the teachers. Most of them never learnt how to teach.

I feel a hub coming on...