No Deal On Computer Tablets, Thai Education Ministry Prepares Textbooks

[webfact]

ELECTION PROMISE

No deal on tablets, ministry prepares textbooks

Supinda na Mahachai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Education Ministry is now preparing for what could be called Plan B - to hand out textbooks to Prathom 1 students, because it has become apparent computer tablets will not reach their hands for the coming semester.

A new term starts next month for school students across the country, but the government and its chosen Chinese supplier have failed to conclude a purchase contract.

Initially, the government planned to implement its much-publicised One Tablet Per Child (OTPC) scheme by handing close to one million tablets to all Prathom 1 students at the start of the upcoming semester.

"But we have a Plan B. We will rush to ensure that textbooks reach the students' hands before the new semester begins," Education Minister Suchart Tadathamrongvej said yesterday.

He said his ministry had a budget for textbook procurement.

It would also have to seek funds for the procurement of tablets for 500 selected teachers, scheduled to attend intensive training on the use of tablets so they can serve as trainers for other teachers.

Suchart said if a purchase contract was signed, the Chinese supplier would have to swiftly deliver 2,000 tablets to Thailand initially, as the devices would be needed for use in training.

"These 2,000 tablets are unlikely to reach Thailand in time, either," Suchart said.

In a related development, Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) president Asst Prof Dr Chalermchai Boonyaleepan said that a study on the use of tablets for learning in class would be concluded soon.

The Education Ministry had assigned the university to do this research.

Chalermchai said the findings would be done by yesterday(April 23), but the team would take some time to interpret the findings, which have shown both benefits and disadvantages of using tablets.

"We will release the findings in easy-to-understand language to the public in early May," Chalermchai said.

-- The Nation 2012-04-24

[Buchholz]

The Education Ministry is now preparing for what could be called Plan B - to hand out textbooks to Prathom 1 students, because it has become apparent computer tablets will not reach their hands for the coming semester.

They forgot to include mentioning a "Plan B" in their election campaign banner.

Rather, they said they would provide free tablet computers for all children (that's 11 million students in primary and secondary schools).

No mention lately of what happened to the nation-wide Free WiFi, either.

.

Edited April 23, 2012 by Buchholz

[JimShortz]

With their (almost) unbelievably naive schedule for getting these devices in place it is hardly surprising that it hasn't happened. Perhaps they should have got a few of the smarter Prathom 1 students to have done the planning and procurement as a school project - lets face it, they could hardly be more naive than the current planners... and probably much better!

[Moruya]

another one bites the dust

[x5david]

I hope this teaches any other international firms a lesson thinking about doing business with Thailand...and Thailand a lesson not to pick a vendor based solely on price. Due diligence is a wonderful thing when put in the hands of rational, thinking business people.

[Buchholz]

He said his ministry had a budget for textbook procurement.

They do? Earlier the Education Ministry had said the tablet budget was using up the textbook budget.

I am less enthusiastic about the tablet scheme now that I know they will spend 10% of the national education budget on it.

Yes, that was the news today. 6 BILLION BAHT per year.

The new Education Minister went on to say that it would come out of the budget that was previously devoted to providing free school uniforms for students as well as free textbooks

The clueless guy EM Worawut, who obviously has never come close to caring for school-aged children, said, "This will not affect students and the overall education program because... uniforms do not need to be changed to new ones every year."

What a moron.

Another gem from the Chief of Educating the Youth of Thailand, "The tablets will not completely replace textbooks. They will act like calculators that help the student to calculate faster."

Edited April 23, 2012 by Buchholz

[apetley]

Sadly this seems to be turning into 'one textbook per child'.

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Edited April 24, 2012 by apetley

[hmj]

"Sadly this seems to be turning into 'one textbook per child'. "

That would be a major improvement. In the rural areas they have one textbook for per five or ten children.

[h90]

Plan C, after it does not work with text-books

1 sheet of paper and a pencil for every child.....

[Buchholz]

Plan C, after it does not work with text-books

1 sheet of paper and a pencil for every child.....

Updated campaign poster :

[BudRight]

"Easy to understand language," huh?

How about "This idea sucks, we just promised everyone iPads so they would vote for us. Next election it will be some other gimmick, don't worry."

[anon467367354]

if Steve Jobs can get the factory in China just days before launching the iPhone to design, engineer and change the face of it to glass, replacing the plastic, I'm sure China can pump out some basic tablets. This is just too convenient, and it smells.

[julemanden]

The Education Ministry is now preparing for what could be called Plan B - to hand out textbooks to Prathom 1 students, because it has become apparent computer tablets will not reach their hands for the coming semester.

They forgot to include mentioning a "Plan B" in their election campaign banner.

Rather, they said they would provide free tablet computers for all children (that's 11 million students in primary and secondary schools).

No mention lately of what happened to the nation-wide Free WiFi, either.

.

TIT !!!

[GeorgeO]

Even the Chinese have a limit to the amount of kickback that is being demanded .... but can someone tell me how these incompetents still have the support of the masses?

When will common sense start to prevail in this country?

[maidu]

Sadly, the same sorts of promises will be trotted out for the next election campaign, and the next, and the next. It worked for TRT, and for PPP, and now for PT. Just as long as enough Thai voters stay as gullible as their predecessors, similar election promises will work to garner votes.

I noticed the posters (shown above) came out about 2 to 3 weeks before the election. They were obviously the brainchild of Mr. Deception himself (Thaksin thinks / Puea Thai Acts). What if Thailand tried something like debates among canditates - in the months leading up to elections? Naw, wouldn't work. Thais are too easily offended, and too quick to slap defamation of character suits at the slightest affront. Ok then, it's back to putting up posters a couple weeks prior to elections.

[maidu]

I bought a tablet mini-computer for Bt.2,000 recently. Reason: to do some writing and watch some movies. I didn't like it at all - wound up giving it away to a young hill tribe friend.

The tablet idea for students is flawed. At best, they'll be used to play computer games. They'll likely break and/or be sold for a few baht. Thai kids need to get outdoors and play. Currently, there's only 1 hour per school week required for outdoor recreation. No wonder Thai kids are generally blah-eyed with flaccid muscle tone. It's reflected in their simplistic pop songs, which all sound like sappy goodnight tunes for granma and granpa.

[stevehaigh]

i guess they couldn't agree on the size of the kick backs.

as the co-owner of an M1 kid, i'm glad they didn't give them out. they would only be used for games and facebook anyhow

Edited April 24, 2012 by stevehaigh

[Yunla]

*Unsurprised facial expression* But imho I think books are better anyway & they don't have the same built-in obsolescence as computers do with breakdown and repair and upgrade etc. The actual medium of tablets can distract from direct learning, as opposed to books which don't have any eye-candy just words.

Couple of PC's in the corner of the classroom is enough for googling & downloads and print-outs. And lots and lots of good books & paper & pens.

[birdpooguava]

Plan C, after it does not work with text-books

1 sheet of paper and a pencil for every child.....

Updated campaign poster :

Interesting that you point out there is no date on the election posters. What happens now pales into insignificance compared to the year before the next general elections. If in 2 years time there is progress with tablets, high speed rail, 300 Baht nationwide minimum wage, etc. PT will give the Dems another pasting at the polls. Maybe they aren't as stupid as you are trying to make them out to be.

[animatic]

Sadly this is as expected and right on schedule for the delay to put things off schedule.

"1 tablet per child."

No ,ore like :

'All Children Left Behind.'

[kurtgruen]

The Education Ministry is now preparing for what could be called Plan B - to hand out textbooks to Prathom 1 students, because it has become apparent computer tablets will not reach their hands for the coming semester.

They forgot to include mentioning a "Plan B" in their election campaign banner.

Rather, they said they would provide free tablet computers for all children (that's 11 million students in primary and secondary schools).

No mention lately of what happened to the nation-wide Free WiFi, either.

.

Same rice - different day!

[OzMick]

It is my understanding that ALL students who previously had texts and uniforms subsidised are now paying full price so that Prathom 1 students can NOT get cheap and nasty tablets.

I'm sure that their parents don't mind the increased expense because the study has shown that when, and if, these tablets appear that the benefits are immense - when the study is completed of course. Because this luxury 5 wheel limousine has been bought without even as much as compliance plate, let alone a test drive. BTW how do they do a study when NONE of the tablets to be issued have arrived - borrow Yingluk's Galaxy?

[diehard60]

"It would also have to seek funds for the procurement of tablets for 500 selected teachers, scheduled to attend intensive training on the use of tablets so they can serve as trainers for other teachers."

This is a good idea but if it is like any other training that is to be passed on to other teachers it will never happen. When Thai teachers (in general) learn something new they do not want anyone else to know it. They want to keep it to themselves.

And the books? well I think they will use the same old books as before. Nothing new.

[vijer]

.... but can someone tell me how these incompetents still have the support of the masses?

When will common sense start to prevail in this country?

I can't really blame the government; I talk to different Thai adults every week and NONE of them are interested in the news, current events, pollution, world news, etc. When I asked them if they heard about the bombings in BKK almost 100 percent of them said "what bombings". They just don't know and don't care. The masses know more about "Super Stars" then about their own country. So you can't blame politicians for taking advantage of the masses.

It is not much different in the US where we have a great number of idiots who believe that eliminating government and letting big business fuc_k over the people is a good idea. The idiots don't remember history too well because they couldn't be bothered to study it. They don't remember that the government is the one that keeps the drinking water safe, the food safe, workers safe from safety hazards in the work environment, etc. But these same idiots are the ones jumping up and down clamoring to know why the government didn't do more to protect them when they learn all the painted products imported from China contain lead, or that the vegetables imported from Mexico have e coli contamination. Not to bright those folks "I want no government but I want the government to protect me".

[Newguy70]

We all knew this would happen. Really what else can we say. Until they are TAUGHT to ask questions as children, they will never stop thinking as children when they reached adulthood. THIS IS NOT BASHING

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[NanLaew]

Plan C, after it does not work with text-books

1 sheet of paper and a pencil for every child.....

Paper? Pencil?

When I was a lad it was, 'Where's your slate boy?'

I guess that was some sort of tablet after all.

[OzMick]

Plan C, after it does not work with text-books

1 sheet of paper and a pencil for every child.....

Updated campaign poster :

Interesting that you point out there is no date on the election posters. What happens now pales into insignificance compared to the year before the next general elections. If in 2 years time there is progress with tablets, high speed rail, 300 Baht nationwide minimum wage, etc. PT will give the Dems another pasting at the polls. Maybe they aren't as stupid as you are trying to make them out to be.

That one hell of an IF. Maybe the voters aren't as stupid as you make them out to be; some may even have a memory span longer than a goldfish.

[sfbandung]

" the government and its chosen Chinese supplier have failed to conclude a kickback agreement purchase contract."

The pic shows a lenovo, the kiddies won't be getting them I bet.

[Buchholz]

Plan C, after it does not work with text-books

1 sheet of paper and a pencil for every child.....

Updated campaign poster :

Interesting that you point out there is no date on the election posters. What happens now pales into insignificance compared to the year before the next general elections. If in 2 years time there is progress with tablets, high speed rail, 300 Baht nationwide minimum wage, etc. PT will give the Dems another pasting at the polls. Maybe they aren't as stupid as you are trying to make them out to be.

Guess we'll have to wait and see how much progress on their multitude of promises they keep.

So far, they are something like 1 for 18.

p.s. the PTP did announce a completion date for nation-wide Free WiFi. 2015.

They also announced there were supposedly already 20,000 free WiFi hotspots in Bangkok as of last January, with an additional 20,000 free WiFi spots there by this October, which would eventually lead to 250,000 free WiFi spots in Bangkok by 2015 for their 30 Billion Baht scheme.

.

Edited April 24, 2012 by Buchholz

[KeyserSoze01]

if Steve Jobs can get the factory in China just days before launching the iPhone to design, engineer and change the face of it to glass, replacing the plastic, I'm sure China can pump out some basic tablets. This is just too convenient, and it smells.

Not until there is ink on a contract they won't. As noted in the article, contracts have not even been signed yet. How can a suppliers quote delivery schedules until the customer commits? The smell is someone waiting for their kickback on the sale and the Chinese are balking because they don't need the business and are on tight margins.