Tears mix with triumph at lottery for school places

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Yesterday was a day that dictated the fate of students across the country. Many jumped or cried with joy, others burst into tears with disappointment, after drawing lots for places at top state schools.

Those who had completed Prathom 6 (Grade 6) but failed their admission exams were given a second chance to gain entry at the schools of their choice.

From early morning, parents and students crowded into prestigious schools, waiting on tenterhooks for the moment that the hopeful candidates cast their lots.

Many were lucky and won a place to study at their first-choice school. Others, though, left disappointed, knowing they would have to find a place at another institution.

A top official at the Education Ministry reported yesterday that the number of students prevented from entry to the prestigious schools was smaller than expected.

"Only 1,554 students failed to win a place at the top state schools under the supervision of Bangkok's secondary educational service area 2 yesterday, compared to previous years when the number exceeding available places has been about 6,000," Chinnapat Bhumirat, secretary-general at Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec), said after observing the lot-drawing at Satriwithaya 2 School.

"Private schools are already taking applications and enrolments. This probably caused the drop in the number of students without places at schools under this office's supervision. We want more students to study at schools under the control of other agencies. We will analyse what caused the drop," he added.

He said that 2,318 students had been turned away without a place at the top schools in the secondary educational service area 1.

Among those in area 1, Suankularb Wittayalai School had the highest number of student applications with 1,475 but had only 400 available places. Horwang School had the most applications in area 2, at 1,332, though it had capacity to accept just 650.

Chinnapat said Obec would help every student to seek a place at other schools. No one would be left behind, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-05-11

What a terrible system

Luck based education.

No wonder why they are into lottery gambling when they grow up.

Of course, if you know the right people you could get very lucky.