Thai Govt May Ponder More Free Computer Tablets

[webfact]

POST-ELECTION PROMISE

Govt may ponder more free tablets

ASINA PORNWASIN,

PIYANART SRIVALO

THE NATION

Critics say plan to give devices to students faces many potential glitches

BANGKOK: -- The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) has proposed the Education Ministry set a Bt4 billion budget for tablet distribution to Matthayom 1 students (Grade 7), an Obec top official said recently.

The plan to distribute computer tablets to young schoolchildren still faces uncertainties, and the Yingluck government will have to consider a costly extension of the programme for older students.

Critics, who include some senators, warned that the free-tablet policy, if mismanaged, could trigger a serious problem of "electronics junk" due to the large number of recipients involved.

However, ICT Minister Anudith Nakornthap ruled out the possibility. "I haven't heard of this. There is no assignment for me on tablet handout for Matthayom 1. No budget has been allocated so far. So, it is not likely, but in the future if the government seeks more budget, it could be."

He said the project could be an Education Ministry plan.

Obec had planned to seek funds under the 2013 fiscal budget for the ministry to deliver tablets to all 761,179 Matthayom 1 students under its supervision, Obec's secretary-general Chinnapat Bhumirat said after a meeting with Education Minister Suchart Tadathamrongvej and executives of main agencies recently to discuss budget plans for the next fiscal year.

Chinnapat expected the ministry would be able to hand out tablets to Matthayom 1 students in the second semester of 2012 academic year if they were able to allocate the budget for tablet distribution in October or November.

He expected that each tablet for these children would cost about Bt8,000.

The 2013 fiscal year begins in October and the second semester of the 2012 academic year starts in November.

Premier Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday before boarding a plane to travel to the Cabinet meeting in Phuket and Phang-nga that details of the tablet distribution project for Prathom 1 (Grade 1) |students would be probably put |to Cabinet but she had not seen |any documents related to the project yet. She told reporters to check meeting details with the Cabinet secretariat.

Reports said the Information and Communication Technology Ministry had already given details of the project to Cabinet. It was expected the project would be included as an unscheduled agenda at the meeting, which will be held today.

Late last month, ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra spoke via video link to red shirts who went to Khao Yai National Park that 800,000 more tablets would also be given to Matthayom 1 students.

The government plans to hand out 900,000 tablets to Prathom 1 students with a budget of Bt1.8 billion in the first semester of the next academic year.

The first semester starts in |May and there are already questions whether the government can |meet the deadline, as the project involves mass production, foreign bidding that could easily create political problems, and installation of teaching apps, which could take time.

-- The Nation 2012-03-20

[leogerritsen]

I would like to know it the Thai government wrote a tender on this. 8000 THB a piece seems a lot of money to me.

[sirchai]

Late last month, ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra spoke via video link to red shirts who went to Khao Yai National Park that 800,000 more tablets would also be given to Matthayom 1 students.

Can't read such a post in the morning. Makes me so sick and tired.

Thailand the hub of enormous BS....

Edited March 20, 2012 by sirchai

[whybother]

I think this project would have got a lot less flak if they had proposed giving the tablets to grade 7 students in the first place instead of grade 1.

[leogerritsen]

I have seen the attitude of the kids when giving them some electronic devices. If it is not top of the bill, they say thank you and it is put aside.

The more they grow up the more they get infiltrated with the idea of FACE.

When I rented an apartment for a year and bought 2 32" LCD tv-sets, the family asked why not buy a 42" or more ? Many people assume

when your have the money, you shouild show.

So I propose give the devices to first graders, but be sure they are simple. Or better still give them on loan and then as the students progress the devices

can be handed down to the next generation of first graders.

[Buchholz]

The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) has proposed the Education Ministry set a Bt4 billion budget for tablet distribution to Matthayom 1 students

[Buchholz]

Premier Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday before boarding a plane to travel to the Cabinet meeting in Phuket and Phang-nga that details of the tablet distribution project for Prathom 1 (Grade 1) students would be probably put to Cabinet but she had not seen any documents related to the project yet.

staggering statement given the months and months this scheme has been in the works and also that it is promised to begin in less than 60 days.

.

[Buchholz]

ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra spoke via video link to red shirts who went to Khao Yai National Park that 800,000 more tablets would also be given to Matthayom 1 students

dictating the government's actions.... from afar.

.

[CalgaryII]

"Govt. may ponder more free tablets," #1^

• I understand that there is some resistance from teachers and their Associations, being projected via other avenues, such as sympathetic Senators.
  
• The resistance is in part due to teachers who are Luddites, and for whom a program such as this is a challenge.
  
• Most teachers are also not fans of Ms. Y and Thaksin.
  
• They were one of the societal sectors Thaksin upset, ie:
  
  • He upset the Underground Lottery people trying to bring that thing under control
    
  • He upset Government Officials, by forcing them to be "Civil SERVANTS"
    
  • He upset teachers by imposing performance standards
    

  [*]So resistance from teachers can be expected.

  [*]These young students are technologically, light-years ahead of many teachers. One can speculate that in some cases, it will be students teaching their teachers how to teach with these tablets.

Edited March 20, 2012 by CalgaryII

[whybother]

"Govt. may ponder more free tablets," #1^

• I understand that there is some resistance from teachers and their Associations, being projected via other avenues, such as sympathetic Senators.
  
• The resistance is in part due to teachers who are Luddites, and for whom a program such as this is a challenge.
  
• Most teachers are also not fans of Ms. Y and Thaksin.
  
• They were one of the societal sectors Thaksin upset, ie:
  
  • He upset the Underground Lottery people trying to bring that thing under control
    
  • He upset Government Officials, by forcing them to be "Civil SERVANTS"
    
  • He upset teachers by imposing performance standards
    

  [*]So resistance from teachers can be expected.

  [*]These young students are technologically, light-years ahead of many teachers. One can speculate that in some cases, it will be students teaching their teachers how to teach with these tablets.

So you agree that this is a ridiculous policy, given that teachers haven't been trained how to use the devices and therefore they won't be able to teach the curriculum (if there is any) based around the devices.

[TAWP]

Nothing is ever free - you and I are paying for the governments frivolous spending.

[hellodolly]

Late last month, ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra spoke via video link to red shirts who went to Khao Yai National Park that 800,000 more tablets would also be given to Matthayom 1 students.

Can't read such a post in the morning. Makes me so sick and tired.

Thailand the hub of enormous BS....

Late last month, ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra spoke via video link to red shirts who went to Khao Yai National Park that 800,000 more tablets would also be given to Matthayom 1 students.

Can't read such a post in the morning. Makes me so sick and tired.

Thailand the hub of enormous BS....

And yet Yingluck says she calls the shots.

[hellodolly]

"Govt. may ponder more free tablets," #1^

• I understand that there is some resistance from teachers and their Associations, being projected via other avenues, such as sympathetic Senators.
  
• The resistance is in part due to teachers who are Luddites, and for whom a program such as this is a challenge.
  
• Most teachers are also not fans of Ms. Y and Thaksin.
  
• They were one of the societal sectors Thaksin upset, ie:
  
  • He upset the Underground Lottery people trying to bring that thing under control
    
  • He upset Government Officials, by forcing them to be "Civil SERVANTS"
    
  • He upset teachers by imposing performance standards
    

  [*]So resistance from teachers can be expected.

  [*]These young students are technologically, light-years ahead of many teachers. One can speculate that in some cases, it will be students teaching their teachers how to teach with these tablets.

Maybe the teachers would rather have electricity in their school first.

You are proposing that the low qualification for teachers is Thaksins fault.

I haven't seen any thing in the PT program to improve it.

Of course they don't have time from such trivial mattes as that they are to busy trying to renege on their one student one tablet election promise.

You really are a funny man. It never ceases to amaze me the nonsense you red shirts are willing to lap up just like a starving dog at a banquet.

Just standing around with your tongue hanging out for the next bone Thaksin throws you.

[WhizBang]

"Govt. may ponder more free tablets," #1^

• I understand that there is some resistance from teachers and their Associations, being projected via other avenues, such as sympathetic Senators.
  
• The resistance is in part due to teachers who are Luddites, and for whom a program such as this is a challenge.
  
• Most teachers are also not fans of Ms. Y and Thaksin.
  
• They were one of the societal sectors Thaksin upset, ie:
  
  • He upset the Underground Lottery people trying to bring that thing under control
    
  • He upset Government Officials, by forcing them to be "Civil SERVANTS"
    
  • He upset teachers by imposing performance standards
    

  [*]So resistance from teachers can be expected.

  [*]These young students are technologically, light-years ahead of many teachers. One can speculate that in some cases, it will be students teaching their teachers how to teach with these tablets.

How much is Thaksin paying you to be his shill?

The rubbush you continually post defending him and his red shirt terrorists is truely amazing.

[takatukaland]

"Govt. may ponder more free tablets," #1^

• I understand that there is some resistance from teachers and their Associations, being projected via other avenues, such as sympathetic Senators.
  
• The resistance is in part due to teachers who are Luddites, and for whom a program such as this is a challenge.
  
• Most teachers are also not fans of Ms. Y and Thaksin.
  
• They were one of the societal sectors Thaksin upset, ie:
  
  • He upset the Underground Lottery people trying to bring that thing under control
    
  • He upset Government Officials, by forcing them to be "Civil SERVANTS"
    
  • He upset teachers by imposing performance standards
    

  [*]So resistance from teachers can be expected.

  [*]These young students are technologically, light-years ahead of many teachers. One can speculate that in some cases, it will be students teaching their teachers how to teach with these tablets.

Maybe the teachers would rather have electricity in their school first.

You are proposing that the low qualification for teachers is Thaksins fault.

I haven't seen any thing in the PT program to improve it.

Of course they don't have time from such trivial mattes as that they are to busy trying to renege on their one student one tablet election promise.

You really are a funny man. It never ceases to amaze me the nonsense you red shirts are willing to lap up just like a starving dog at a banquet.

Just standing around with your tongue hanging out for the next bone Thaksin throws you.

he said "he upsets teachers by imposing performance standards"Where did he say low qualification of teachers is Thaksins fault?

[hellodolly]

"Govt. may ponder more free tablets," #1^

• I understand that there is some resistance from teachers and their Associations, being projected via other avenues, such as sympathetic Senators.
  
• The resistance is in part due to teachers who are Luddites, and for whom a program such as this is a challenge.
  
• Most teachers are also not fans of Ms. Y and Thaksin.
  
• They were one of the societal sectors Thaksin upset, ie:
  
  • He upset the Underground Lottery people trying to bring that thing under control
    
  • He upset Government Officials, by forcing them to be "Civil SERVANTS"
    
  • He upset teachers by imposing performance standards
    

  [*]So resistance from teachers can be expected.

  [*]These young students are technologically, light-years ahead of many teachers. One can speculate that in some cases, it will be students teaching their teachers how to teach with these tablets.

Maybe the teachers would rather have electricity in their school first.

You are proposing that the low qualification for teachers is Thaksins fault.

I haven't seen any thing in the PT program to improve it.

Of course they don't have time from such trivial mattes as that they are to busy trying to renege on their one student one tablet election promise.

You really are a funny man. It never ceases to amaze me the nonsense you red shirts are willing to lap up just like a starving dog at a banquet.

Just standing around with your tongue hanging out for the next bone Thaksin throws you.

he said "he upsets teachers by imposing performance standards"Where did he say low qualification of teachers is Thaksins fault?

He didn't say it he proposed that the standards were set by Thaksin.

"He upset teachers by imposing performance standards"

Just between you and me and the gate post I think he lives in Dubai

[jambco984]

My bosses at school have already said that our school wont be receiving any tablet computers, what a crock if there ever was one.

[tragickingdom]

Costly extensions to older students or not. It is applaudable that they are handing them out. You have to start somewhere. Before you know you have an American style education system in which every student without money is left behind.

[Buchholz]

Costly extensions to older students or not. It is applaudable that they are handing them out. You have to start somewhere.

They haven't handed out anything yet.

As for starting somewhere, electricity for 2000 schools, WiFi for 20000 schools, and proper indoctrination for teachers would make for a more effective One Tablet Per Child election promise, which has since morphed into One Tablet Per 10 Children as now all other grades are excluded.

.

[OzMick]

My bosses at school have already said that our school wont be receiving any tablet computers, what a crock if there ever was one.

Did they say why?

[jambco984]

My bosses at school have already said that our school wont be receiving any tablet computers, what a crock if there ever was one.

Did they say why?

Unfortunately they realise being a private school that we will receive nothing.

This is a big assumption but is most likely true.

[OzMick]

Hmmmm............must have been in the fine print, I missed that bit.

The op states " to all 761,179 Matthayom 1 students under its supervision." Private schools don't come under the supervision of the MoE?

[belg]

everybody knows what these tablets will do : morrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre games for kids

[anterian]

This is a stupid move which I think the government regrets. Any normal government would cancel this, but a Thai government cannot, the culture of "face" makes this impossible. Inevitably therefore, the more people protests, the more determined and intractable the government will become. Sensible people, there must be some, need to seek a way to salvage some benefit from this, or at least find some way of making it work. Too many people with negative attitudes simply want to destroy it before it even starts.

[allan michaud]

"The government plans to hand out 900,000 tablets to Prathom 1 students with a budget of Bt1.8 billion in the first semester of the next academic year."

900,000 tablets at B8,000 = 7.2 billion

Dumber by the day.

[khaowong1]

"The government plans to hand out 900,000 tablets to Prathom 1 students with a budget of Bt1.8 billion in the first semester of the next academic year."

900,000 tablets at B8,000 = 7.2 billion

Dumber by the day.

Ha ha ha, hopefully theres a calculator on those tablets. but I bet they know when their tea money is off by 5 baht.

[volk666]

Not to worry, the govt has canceled this particular purchase and ordered doing all the paperwork from square one in a different way.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Govt-cancels-plan-to-buy-tablet-PCs-in-G-to-G-meth-30178349.html

[leogerritsen]

I am surprised the thai government is not writing a tender to invite manufacturers to do their bid.