I think the fact that worldwide the education system is based on financial criteria eludes people. The rich have always had the option of sending their children to private schools, the poor don't. Regardless of what happens in the state school system, the rich always have the option of sending their children to privately run, privately funded schools, generally with much better facilities, better paid teachers and a better standard of education. On this basis the system is already corrupt to the core and not just in Thailand!

In my personal opinion the only free/ state funded school system that caters for the ability of students and not the wealth of parents is that of the grammer schools in the UK. It doesn't matter how much money your parents have, if you can't pass the entrance exam, you're not offered a place. Funny that these are constantly under fire from people for being elitist and unfair! You can never please everyone I guess...

As it stands given a choice (and I realise I'm fortunate to have one but then again I work hard for it) between paying unregulated tea money for places at state schools, or paying for private education, my children are being privately educated in Thailand. What does puzzle me is that I pay far less per year than some of the figures that have been banded around as "tea money" entry into state schools... if these figures are to be believed why would these parents not enroll their children into private education instead?

I don't have all the answers and don't pretend to understand this issue inside out but am very interested in the subject of education in Thailand as a whole, mainly as a parent who wants the best for my children and have major concerns about the standard of education both in Thailand and back in the UK.

not true. 22 years ago in the UK, the grammar school that i attended routinely took "donations" from families of students that failed the entrance exam. similarly, they also took good sports students into the school who clearly werent the brightest buttons in the box.

this was not exclusive to my school but also to the other grammar schools in towns and cities nearby.

I guess we all have different experiences and corruption obviously runs rife in all countries! In my case we had to sit an exam called an 11+, without passing this, you weren't considered for enrollment into any grammar school in the area...

Out of interest how did you come to find out about these "donations"? Were they kept behind closed doors or was it out in the open and obvious to all?

same as me, 11 plus examination......everyone (students) always told the results they got in the entrance exams. i suppose unaware that their parents had an idea in mind. getting a grade A then meant you were a nerd so students who failed openly admitted it. then we saw them in our grammar school for the start of the new term. the sporty types were a bit more open however and the school would allow them to retake their tests (school paid) until they passed.

Edited February 15, 201214 yr by thequietman

""The policy will also destroy good values in Thai society. If the policy is implemented, rich children will grow up feeling that money can buy everything while cash-strapped children will feel inferior and unfairly treated," he added."

there is a typo in this statement;

Should read... .. " rich children grow up knowing that money can buy everything"

Beat me to it.

It is on constant display in this culture that if you are rich enough you can do anything you want, that fundamental attitude needs addressing.

I think the fact that worldwide the education system is based on financial criteria eludes people. The rich have always had the option of sending their children to private schools, the poor don't. Regardless of what happens in the state school system, the rich always have the option of sending their children to privately run, privately funded schools, generally with much better facilities, better paid teachers and a better standard of education. On this basis the system is already corrupt to the core and not just in Thailand!

In my personal opinion the only free/ state funded school system that caters for the ability of students and not the wealth of parents is that of the grammer schools in the UK. It doesn't matter how much money your parents have, if you can't pass the entrance exam, you're not offered a place. Funny that these are constantly under fire from people for being elitist and unfair! You can never please everyone I guess...

As it stands given a choice (and I realise I'm fortunate to have one but then again I work hard for it) between paying unregulated tea money for places at state schools, or paying for private education, my children are being privately educated in Thailand. What does puzzle me is that I pay far less per year than some of the figures that have been banded around as "tea money" entry into state schools... if these figures are to be believed why would these parents not enroll their children into private education instead?

I don't have all the answers and don't pretend to understand this issue inside out but am very interested in the subject of education in Thailand as a whole, mainly as a parent who wants the best for my children and have major concerns about the standard of education both in Thailand and back in the UK.

not true. 22 years ago in the UK, the grammar school that i attended routinely took "donations" from families of students that failed the entrance exam. similarly, they also took good sports students into the school who clearly werent the brightest buttons in the box.

this was not exclusive to my school but also to the other grammar schools in towns and cities nearby.

I guess we all have different experiences and corruption obviously runs rife in all countries! In my case we had to sit an exam called an 11+, without passing this, you weren't considered for enrollment into any grammar school in the area...

Out of interest how did you come to find out about these "donations"? Were they kept behind closed doors or was it out in the open and obvious to all?

same as me, 11 plus examination......everyone (students) always told the results they got in the entrance exams. i suppose unaware that their parents had an idea in mind. getting a grade A then meant you were a nerd so students who failed openly admitted it. then we saw them in our grammar school for the start of the new term. the sporty types were a bit more open however and the school would allow them to retake their tests (school paid) until they passed.

Thinking about it I don't know why I am surprised, looking back I did have a few classmates who weren't the sharpest tools in the box! Certainly the importance of sport was pushed high at our school, I recall learning early on that being on the Rugby team meant no detention, because generally these clashed with either matches or training... we got away with all sorts. That said I enjoyed my time there, didn't do too badly for it and would consider the same for my children if such schools existed over here.

As it stands our current choice is between a 100% thai, dilapidated, underfunded state school, a better funded state school with good rep, 95% thai, an expensive but fairly grounded private 50/50 thai/ ferang school or a ridiculously expensive, very elitist 99% ferang school...

My eldest is currently attending the expensive 50/50 school, seems to be doing well and certainly enjoys it but this is only early primary school stage. It's the secondary education that I'm trying to get my head around and work out what the best options are...

I think the fact that worldwide the education system is based on financial criteria eludes people. The rich have always had the option of sending their children to private schools, the poor don't. Regardless of what happens in the state school system, the rich always have the option of sending their children to privately run, privately funded schools, generally with much better facilities, better paid teachers and a better standard of education. On this basis the system is already corrupt to the core and not just in Thailand!

In my personal opinion the only free/ state funded school system that caters for the ability of students and not the wealth of parents is that of the grammer schools in the UK. It doesn't matter how much money your parents have, if you can't pass the entrance exam, you're not offered a place. Funny that these are constantly under fire from people for being elitist and unfair! You can never please everyone I guess...

As it stands given a choice (and I realise I'm fortunate to have one but then again I work hard for it) between paying unregulated tea money for places at state schools, or paying for private education, my children are being privately educated in Thailand. What does puzzle me is that I pay far less per year than some of the figures that have been banded around as "tea money" entry into state schools... if these figures are to be believed why would these parents not enroll their children into private education instead?

I don't have all the answers and don't pretend to understand this issue inside out but am very interested in the subject of education in Thailand as a whole, mainly as a parent who wants the best for my children and have major concerns about the standard of education both in Thailand and back in the UK.

not true. 22 years ago in the UK, the grammar school that i attended routinely took "donations" from families of students that failed the entrance exam.

And that spelled the demise of the UK school system.

I took the 11+ just over 40 years ago, back then if you didn't pass you didn't get in.

The Justice Minister should be out anyday now trying to legislate "tea money" into the court system. Not to benefit any specific individuals mind you but to enhance the capabilities of the courts to better serve ALL the public. Yeah, that's the ticket!

Don't forget the police. They'll want to legalize their tea money too.

Paying for getting into a better school is not something that should be accepted. This minister had effectively said bribery and corruption in the education system is fine. Can anyone find that acceptable? That it goes on is not disputed but the government should not be condoning it otherwise how will any progress be made in reducing the level of corruption. May as well Pgive up now if you educate children that corruption is Ok.

I don't see any reason why donations cannot be made for specific projects with segregated bank accounts to accept the donations after the school year had begun. But as a government surely the message must be you cannot buy your way into everything and take steps to publicly expose breaches of the law from time to time to publicize the fact that it is unacceptable and begin the process of stigmatizing corruption. It won't get stamped out ever but that does not mean you should not try to mitigate rather than encourage social injustice. The minister should resign immediately because he clearly has failed social and moral judgement. And this is supposed to be the government fro the poor people. Lord help Thailand

Edited February 15, 201214 yr by timewilltell

The Justice Minister should be out anyday now trying to legislate "tea money" into the court system. Not to benefit any specific individuals mind you but to enhance the capabilities of the courts to better serve ALL the public. Yeah, that's the ticket!

Don't forget the police. They'll want to legalize their tea money too.

They have already, with their "Red Boxes".

why this guy feers so much? rich people rule the world... same as always was and ever will...

i which i was one of the rich 5555

The Justice Minister should be out anyday now trying to legislate "tea money" into the court system. Not to benefit any specific individuals mind you but to enhance the capabilities of the courts to better serve ALL the public. Yeah, that's the ticket!

In the justice system it's lunchboxes, not tea money.

why this guy feers so much? rich people rule the world... same as always was and ever will...

i which i was one of the rich 5555

Hmmm, I do hope English is your second language my friend. If not, you should be entitled to a refund of all tea moneys paid for a lifetime.

I think it's the case of a subtle misdirection here. Suchart implies that the problem that needs immediate solving is misappropriating tea-money and so his solution is worth consideration and draws comparisons with illegal drug trade, but in Thai education the far bigger problem is the inequality and lack of access to better education for qualified children, this problem robs the country of a lot of opportunities and diminishes the value of its human capital.

From this point of view Suchart's idea will only make the problem worse.

Once again - Thais kids get below par education not because no one knows how tea-money is used, that is practically irrelevant, imaginary problem used to justify Suchart's "solution".

In Thaksin years there was some "one district one school" policy to provide better opportunities to the brightest kids all over the country. That was a far better idea but if they don't even try to focus on the best students than what's the point of having these schools? How's that old policy go with Suchart's latest proposal?

I think it's the case of a subtle misdirection here. Suchart implies that the problem that needs immediate solving is misappropriating tea-money and so his solution is worth consideration and draws comparisons with illegal drug trade, but in Thai education the far bigger problem is the inequality and lack of access to better education for qualified children, this problem robs the country of a lot of opportunities and diminishes the value of its human capital.

From this point of view Suchart's idea will only make the problem worse.

Once again - Thais kids get below par education not because no one knows how tea-money is used, that is practically irrelevant, imaginary problem used to justify Suchart's "solution".

In Thaksin years there was some "one district one school" policy to provide better opportunities to the brightest kids all over the country. That was a far better idea but if they don't even try to focus on the best students than what's the point of having these schools? How's that old policy go with Suchart's latest proposal?

"Suchart implies that the problem that needs immediate solving is misappropriating tea-money"

Touch-in-cheek I assume you didn't mean the problem is that the tea-money is not reaching the 'right' people ?

tea money no beer money and brown envelopes