Trying To Stop The Rot In Thailand's Schools By Giving Out Tablet Computers

[webfact]

Education in Thailand

Let them eat tablets

Trying to stop the rot in Thailand's schools by giving out tablet computers

SINCE the new government of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra took office last July, Thailand has been treated to a soap-opera about the supply of tablet computers to all children starting school. Ms Yingluck’s “one tablet per child” pledge during the campaign was probably her single most vote-catching policy, yet fulfilling it has turned into a national ordeal.

A few weeks ago a deal was at last signed with Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development, a Chinese firm, for the provision of 400,000 tablets. On June 7th a beaming Ms Yingluck gave the first batch to a group of smartly dressed pupils.

Some argue that the focus on the tablets has distracted attention from a deeper malaise affecting Thai education. Although the proportion of children attending school has grown over the past decade, the quality of their education has deteriorated.

The chief problem is that children’s educational attainments are falling, even as more money is being lavished on the schools. Thailand now spends about 20% of the national budget on education, more than it devotes to any other sector. The budget has doubled over a decade. Yet results are getting worse, both in absolute terms and relative to other countries in South-East Asia.

Thailand’s own ombudsman reported earlier this year that, despite the extra cash, the national standardised examination results show that students’ scores in the core subjects of English, maths and science have been largely falling. The most recent Global Competitiveness Report from the World Economic Forum ranked Thailand a dismal 83rd in terms of its “health and primary education”, one of four basic indicators. This is below others in the region such as Vietnam and Indonesia; only impoverished Cambodia performs worse. [more...]

Full story: http://www.economist.com/node/21556940

-- The Economist 2012-06-19

[Moruya]

The Thai education system needs some real remedial work. and putting that 2B clown Suchart and his "tea money" ideas in charge will take it back to the stone age.

Still, with YouTube on the tablets the students will soon learn to paint in novel ways, sing songs about ears and listen to idiots like Jatuporn.

The good thing is that they can download the ThaiVisa app and listen to us lot!

[JoePai]

The good thing is that they can download the ThaiVisa app and listen to us lot!

Scary thought

[saltandpepper]

mmm, maybe this program should be used as an opportunity to develop solar energy.....It will be quite useful to power the tablets where there is NO electricity....

[SuneeTH]

Lucky that.

During my times, I got the free LOG TABLES.

Anyone still know how to use them?

[Thaddeus]

Lucky that.

During my times, I got the free LOG TABLES.

Anyone still know how to use them?

Yep, and a slide rule..... didn't need power for them either.

I wonder how much of the budget is actually used to educate the kids.

[Martin2009]

Sorry but her most vote catching policy was about reconcilliation, imhp. There are other things about her that most voters like more. Where you back in Denmark during the elction?

[Woodcaulk]

Sorry but her most vote catching policy was about reconcilliation, imhp. There are other things about her that most voters like more. Where you back in Denmark during the elction?

Thats good Martian2009, as long as she is elected by a plurality of the easily corrupted and largely ignorant masses we shall not bemoan her abuse and manipulation of said masses by this puppet and her puppeteer(s)

[Moruya]

Lucky that.

During my times, I got the free LOG TABLES.

Anyone still know how to use them?

Yep, and a slide rule..... didn't need power for them either.

I wonder how much of the budget is actually used to educate the kids.

Solar powered calculators are affordable but won't teach the kids maths

[LucidLucifer]

Some argue that the focus on the tablets has distracted attention from a deeper malaise......

Diversionary tactics, as always, hide the real problem with slight of hand.

She learnt well from big bro'.....

[LucidLucifer]

Solar powered calculators are affordable but won't teach the kids maths

Not mental arithmatic, but calculators do have a role in teaching children maths, as tablets do in teaching other curriculum areas.

The question is, are these cheap Chinese knock-offs good for the job, and do the teachers have first clue how to use them to the best effect? I'd say no on both counts.

Edited June 19, 2012 by LucidLucifer

[thequietman]

Lucky that.

During my times, I got the free LOG TABLES.

Anyone still know how to use them?

Yep, and a slide rule..... didn't need power for them either.

I wonder how much of the budget is actually used to educate the kids.

Typical Thai School Director :

water fountains......................... check

shrubs and flowers................. check

buddah statues..........................check

To Be No. 1 posters........................check

International standard school posters............................ check

reception area with 42 inch lcd flat screen tv......................... check

private poom for director with the finest carpet and furniture...............................check

Large stone podium area for early morning speech (yawn) ................................. check

Fancy hand made fencing and gates..............................check

3 photocopying machines for the endless worksheets thai teachers give................check

boxes upon boxes of paper for photocopying.......................... check

microphones and speaker systems for every class......................... check (idea ; tell the students to be quiet and listen)

school functions every month............................. check

staff meetings every week........................... check

books for the students.................... emmm.................... ok,buy one and photocopy it. sorry no money left.

and this is only a short list. Budget is spent on everything except education.

[msg362]

Lucky that.

During my times, I got the free LOG TABLES.

Anyone still know how to use them?

I do and use a slide rule!!!!. When I get change in a shop I can calculate it faster in my head the the shop assistant can with a calculator, always astonishes them. ( Not a boast, merely saying my generation were made to learn to multiply, subtract etc, there were no calculators; it stays with you)

Edited June 19, 2012 by msg362

[Lingba]

I'm a teacher at a university...the kids have all been given these tablets...Peronally, I think its a waste of time...Before the handout of tablets, the students had enough problems trying to stay awake and focused in the classroom...Now they have this new toy that keeps them further from where they need to be in regards to being attentive, alert and participative.....they are too busy playing their little games etc..It's just a joke....

[samjaidee]

Solar powered calculators are affordable but won't teach the kids maths

Not mental arithmatic, but calculators do have a role in teaching children maths, as tablets do in teaching other curriculum areas.

The question is, are these cheap Chinese knock-offs good for the job, and do the teachers have first clue how to use them to the best effect? I'd say no on both counts.

They're not knock-offs. They may be of a lower standard than tablets made by some other companies but they are not copies or imitations of a better known brand. Whether they are good for the job will be largely dependent on the software installed on them which is down to the Thai Department of Education not the Chinese manufacturers.

[Trentham]

"Thai Education" is an oxymoron same as bitter sweet or army intelligence.

[theajarn]

Lucky that.

During my times, I got the free LOG TABLES.

Anyone still know how to use them?

Yep, and a slide rule..... didn't need power for them either.

I wonder how much of the budget is actually used to educate the kids.

Typical Thai School Director :

water fountains......................... check

shrubs and flowers................. check

buddah statues..........................check

To Be No. 1 posters........................check

International standard school posters............................ check

reception area with 42 inch lcd flat screen tv......................... check

private poom for director with the finest carpet and furniture...............................check

Large stone podium area for early morning speech (yawn) ................................. check

Fancy hand made fencing and gates..............................check

3 photocopying machines for the endless worksheets thai teachers give................check

boxes upon boxes of paper for photocopying.......................... check

microphones and speaker systems for every class......................... check (idea ; tell the students to be quiet and listen)

school functions every month............................. check

staff meetings every week........................... check

books for the students.................... emmm.................... ok,buy one and photocopy it. sorry no money left.

and this is only a short list. Budget is spent on everything except education.

You forgot the big arse Kyocera colour photocopying machine that is ONLY for "official documents", the Apple iMacs that and MacBook Pros for the secretaries and admin (ONLY) , and the Canon D36... Oh and the new conference room with central air conditioning.

Edited June 19, 2012 by theajarn

[kimamey]

The Thai education system needs some real remedial work. and putting that 2B clown Suchart and his "tea money" ideas in charge will take it back to the stone age.

Still, with YouTube on the tablets the students will soon learn to paint in novel ways, sing songs about ears and listen to idiots like Jatuporn.

The good thing is that they can download the ThaiVisa app and listen to us lot!

Not if they're English is as bad as this report suggests.

[Unkomoncents]

The chief problem is that children’s educational attainments are falling, even as more money is being lavished on the schools. Thailand now spends about 20% of the national budget on education, more than it devotes to any other sector. The budget has doubled over a decade. Yet results are getting worse, both in absolute terms and relative to other countries in South-East Asia.

No, the chief problem is that no one in this country is aware of this, at all. The majority in this country is so dedicated to patting itself on the back and chanting mantras about the intrinsic superiority of the Kingdom, that they are not only not capable of intellectually recognizing the state of education but they are too thin-skinned to emotionally survive the realization that they are, in many cases, non-functional economic actors. As technology improves, those jobs handing out change to people on the BTS will disappear like so many other of the menial jobs that keep government employment figures looking good. Another article posted here today announced that Thais should not focus on "competing" with other countries, but rather "cooperating". It must be nice to be so disconnected from reality, on many levels. Perhaps I'm just jealous.

Thailand will always choose to ignore and push their problems under the rug rather than acknowledge and face them head on. Generally, people seem to believe that that is the morally preferable way of handling things, as the rude aggression and frankness of Europeans and Americans is a major turn-off.

Edited June 19, 2012 by Unkomoncents

[LucidLucifer]

Solar powered calculators are affordable but won't teach the kids maths

Not mental arithmatic, but calculators do have a role in teaching children maths, as tablets do in teaching other curriculum areas.

The question is, are these cheap Chinese knock-offs good for the job, and do the teachers have first clue how to use them to the best effect? I'd say no on both counts.

They're not knock-offs. They may be of a lower standard than tablets made by some other companies but they are not copies or imitations of a better known brand. Whether they are good for the job will be largely dependent on the software installed on them which is down to the Thai Department of Education not the Chinese manufacturers.

Ok, maybe knock-offs was a poor choice of words......i'll thank you, and take this opportunity to correct myself:

Are these cheap and inferior quality Chinese tablets good for the job, and do the teachers have first clue how to use them to the best effect? I'd say no on both counts.

The point is the same, but are you happier now?

[laobali]

Not if they're English is as bad as this report suggests.

... or this sentence?

Edited June 19, 2012 by laobali

[sirchai]

The chief problem is that children’s educational attainments are falling, even as more money is being lavished on the schools. Thailand now spends about 20% of the national budget on education, more than it devotes to any other section.

Haven't seen any changes at our school. Even the young trainees, the future teachers of this country can't speak English well enough to teach it.

Kids at grade three have to learn history, but can't even read and write their own language properly.

Directors and teachers have to buy their positions at"better" schools.

The World Class Standard BS really annoys me, can't hear or see that anymore.

The "specialists" at the MOE together with the educators and the educators who educate the educators do the rest......

It's a World Class Standard Dilemma with a Ying without luck........

.

[JohnAllan]

mmm, maybe this program should be used as an opportunity to develop solar energy.....It will be quite useful to power the tablets where there is NO electricity....

Wind power would be cost-free - so long as we could find a way to prevent the politicians charging fees to generate it. Then again . . .

[JohnAllan]

Not if they're English is as bad as this report suggests.

... or this sentence?

Better to take that out on the likes of the Nation, who should know better.

Edited June 19, 2012 by JohnAllan

[belg]

the big leader will one day talk to them all thru the tablet, mission accomplished ... check

[monty]

Not mental arithmatic, but calculators do have a role in teaching children maths, as tablets do in teaching other curriculum areas.

The question is, are these cheap Chinese knock-offs good for the job, and do the teachers have first clue how to use them to the best effect? I'd say no on both counts.

Huh?

Are you saying mental arithmatics have no role in teaching maths?

But calculators do?

Guess thats why the girl in the shop this morning (mathayom 6 graduated) had to fumble for her phone after she noticed the shop calculator's battery had run out...

She needed to find out how much change to give from a 1000 baht note on a 480 baht bill...

Sent from my GT-I9001 using Thaivisa Connect App

[JohnAllan]

The chief problem is that children’s educational attainments are falling, even as more money is being lavished on the schools. Thailand now spends about 20% of the national budget on education, more than it devotes to any other sector. The budget has doubled over a decade. Yet results are getting worse, both in absolute terms and relative to other countries in South-East Asia.

No, the chief problem is that no one in this country is aware of this, at all. The majority in this country is so dedicated to patting itself on the back and chanting mantras about the intrinsic superiority of the Kingdom, that they are not only not capable of intellectually recognizing the state of education but they are too thin-skinned to emotionally survive the realization that they are, in many cases, non-functional economic actors. As technology improves, those jobs handing out change to people on the BTS will disappear like so many other of the menial jobs that keep government employment figures looking good. Another article posted here today announced that Thais should not focus on "competing" with other countries, but rather "cooperating". It must be nice to be so disconnected from reality, on many levels. Perhaps I'm just jealous.

Thailand will always choose to ignore and push their problems under the rug rather than acknowledge and face them head on. Generally, people seem to believe that that is the morally preferable way of handling things, as the rude aggression and frankness of Europeans and Americans is a major turn-off.

Except, of course, they are NOT handling things. It is noticeable, though, that Thais have, over recent years, proved substantially more assertive in situations where once they would have turned the other cheek - or face.

[MaxLee]

So what do you think that children will do with their tablets? Study??? Ha, you got to be kidding. Children have such a short attention span, so the first thing that they will do with their tablets is to try to find a way to play games. Any surprise???

I guess not... I guess, Yingluck is going to get outplayed within her own policy, because Thai children are smarter than their parental authority body give them credit for.

[JohnAllan]

Solar powered calculators are affordable but won't teach the kids maths

Not mental arithmatic, but calculators do have a role in teaching children maths, as tablets do in teaching other curriculum areas.

The question is, are these cheap Chinese knock-offs good for the job, and do the teachers have first clue how to use them to the best effect? I'd say no on both counts.

They're not knock-offs. They may be of a lower standard than tablets made by some other companies but they are not copies or imitations of a better known brand. Whether they are good for the job will be largely dependent on the software installed on them which is down to the Thai Department of Education not the Chinese manufacturers.

You know with absolute certainty, do you, that they are not knock-offs in any shape nor form? As in: original in every way.

[JohnAllan]

I'm a teacher at a university...the kids have all been given these tablets...Peronally, I think its a waste of time...Before the handout of tablets, the students had enough problems trying to stay awake and focused in the classroom...Now they have this new toy that keeps them further from where they need to be in regards to being attentive, alert and participative.....they are too busy playing their little games etc..It's just a joke....

Thank you for an astute observation from someone in the frontline. That might not say it all . . . but it certainly says a lot!