Huge Need For Bipartisan Agreement On National Priorities And Policies: Thailand

[webfact]

CHALK TALK

Huge need for bipartisan agreement on national priorities and policies

Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- All countries need educational policies, but the success of these policies depends largely on knowing from the outset who will benefit from them.

The answer to this question is very important. If the policies are for the good of the nation's future, the public stands to benefit. But if the future refers to that of a political party, the entire society will sooner or later find that they are in real trouble.

Human resources are the most important assets of a nation. It was true thousands of years ago and is still true today.

So, all countries should focus on developing educational policies that best respond to public interest in the long run. Education, after all, is a strong tool to empower children and adults. It is a necessary tool to develop human resources.

The situation in Thailand is not very good, though, when it comes to educational policies.

In recent history, major political parties have been obsessed with populist policies. They seem to care more about their own future than the sustainable future of the nation.

In 2001, the Thaksin Shinawatra-led Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party was the first to introduce populist policies for the country's educational arena. When he rose to premiership, he offered tempting schemes like "One District, One Scholarship" and the "Income-Contingency Student Loan". While such schemes wowed a huge number of voters, they caused concern among many parties.

After the military staged a coup to remove Thaksin from power in 2006, the Surayud Chulanont-led government tried to focus on reforming teachers and scrapped the One District One Scholarship scheme. But the reincarnation of TRT - the People Power Party (PPP) - brought this back when they returned to power in 2008 along with many populist policies, including scholarships funded by the sale of government lottery tickets.

Between 2009 and 2011, the political tide changed and the Democrat Party came to power. While the Democrat-led government talked about the second decade of educational reform, it also focused on populist policies such as 15 years of free education (instead of just 12 years of education) and the handout of free uniforms and free learning materials. Clearly, the Democrats wanted to fight their major rival's policies with even more tempting populist policies.

But have politicians ever paused to think that such policies may endanger the country's future?

The reincarnated PPP, the Pheu Thai Party, is now in power. It has revived the One District One Scholarship scheme and removed a key criterion, the income ceiling for parents of grant recipients.

The current government also launched the One Tablet Per Child project to the delight of young children despite concern among many educators. The Pheu Thai Party has also boasted about its policy to grant loans to graduates who wish to launch small businesses.

All these populist policies, despite some benefits, are designed mainly to woo votes for political parties that back them. They have not touched the core of the education process - how to empower people, equip them with knowledge and lifelong learning skills, as well as living skills - skills needed for work, and ethics.

To make matters worse, all ministers taking the helm at the Education Ministry during the past decade have had a different focus, meaning agencies under the ministry's supervision have found it hard to ensure the continuity of any scheme.

In the past 10 years, Thailand has seen eight governments and 15 education ministers. Each minister is prone to ignore the schemes initiated and highlighted by his predecessors. So in the end, even great projects like the "New Breed of Teachers", which focuses on the quality of teachers, lost momentum.

Education in Thailand still lags behind many other countries because education policies have never been on the national agenda. If they do reach this level, whatever party comes to power and whoever rises to the helm of the Education Ministry will have to support and implement them. Only with consistency and continuity can good educational polices deliver sustainable benefits.

For the sake of the country's sustainable future, I am calling on all parties concerned to make education a national priority now. Taking action to amend past wrongs is better than pointing fingers at others.

-- The Nation 2012-10-29

[asiawatcher]

Valid point - 8 governments in 10 years - 15 ministers - if any of them were competent enough in the role to actually affect positive changes, simply shows education has stalled and whilst buying substandard tablets has kept the kids happy - saves them going to internet games shops, it proves education amongst Thai's is hardly the county's priority. Until government of this country can run a full term and have ministers who understand the necessities, education will fall into the simple vote grabbing populist policies of politicians rather than directed by the conscience of actually improving the lives of students for their, and Thailand's, future.

[jerrysteve]

BIPARTISAN AGREEMENTS cannot exist in a Corrupt Society where Money is King and HIDDEN AGENDAs Rule. Edited October 29, 2012 by jerrysteve

[OzMick]

You are going to have a hard time reaching bipartisan agreement on huge payments for things like tablets and the rice scam.

I fail to see why the Democrat's policy of reducing the cost of education to encourage/enable students to stay at school longer is criticized as populist. It may have been popular, but it should also have been quite effective if maintained. I'm NOT saying it was THE answer, but it was a step in the right direction.

[OzMick]

PTP " ..... has revived the One District One Scholarship scheme and removed a key criterion, the income ceiling for parents of grant recipients."

I can only guess at the criteria for selection.

[whybother]

Between 2009 and 2011, the political tide changed and the Democrat Party came to power. While the Democrat-led government talked about the second decade of educational reform, it also focused on populist policies such as 15 years of free education (instead of just 12 years of education) and the handout of free uniforms and free learning materials. Clearly, the Democrats wanted to fight their major rival's policies with even more tempting populist policies.

But have politicians ever paused to think that such policies may endanger the country's future?

I would have thought that making access to education cheaper and easier would encourage more to continue education and would be good for the country's future.

[Ricardo]

PTP " ..... has revived the One District One Scholarship scheme and removed a key criterion, the income ceiling for parents of grant recipients."

I can only guess at the criteria for selection.

It's only fair that children of Red-Shirt leaders & PTP-MPs should be eligible, despite their parents' unlooked-for wealth, as they're all bound to be jolly good chaps/chapesses ?

It would clearly be wrong, under the historic principles of 'true democracy', to restrict these scholarships to the genuinely-poor and needy !

[Thai at Heart]

Agreement is needed, but I don't see why this is such a "political" issue. The schools are either good or not, the teaching is either good or not, the curriculum is either good or not. Not one of the political parties in their recent tenures stated that they were going to carry out a massive reform of the entire system. So one could say that no one on any side of the political fence has knuckled down and made this a priority for a very long time.

Of course, there is an enormous need for more investment and to be perfectly frank, I don't care one jot if the budgets are allocated for teachers and schools, and if someone nicks 10% off the bill, as long as the bloody places get built. Classes of 50 have to go, so that alone means that the budget probably needs increasing by at least 30% just for teachers, then beyond that, the amount of money that needs to be built on new schools is enormous. But, who would oppose it politically?

[akampa]

Agreement is needed, but I don't see why this is such a "political" issue. The schools are either good or not, the teaching is either good or not, the curriculum is either good or not. Not one of the political parties in their recent tenures stated that they were going to carry out a massive reform of the entire system. So one could say that no one on any side of the political fence has knuckled down and made this a priority for a very long time.

Of course, there is an enormous need for more investment and to be perfectly frank, I don't care one jot if the budgets are allocated for teachers and schools, and if someone nicks 10% off the bill, as long as the bloody places get built. Classes of 50 have to go, so that alone means that the budget probably needs increasing by at least 30% just for teachers, then beyond that, the amount of money that needs to be built on new schools is enormous. But, who would oppose it politically?

i agree and the same goes for hospitals

[khunken]

Agreement is needed, but I don't see why this is such a "political" issue. The schools are either good or not, the teaching is either good or not, the curriculum is either good or not. Not one of the political parties in their recent tenures stated that they were going to carry out a massive reform of the entire system. So one could say that no one on any side of the political fence has knuckled down and made this a priority for a very long time.

Of course, there is an enormous need for more investment and to be perfectly frank, I don't care one jot if the budgets are allocated for teachers and schools, and if someone nicks 10% off the bill, as long as the bloody places get built. Classes of 50 have to go, so that alone means that the budget probably needs increasing by at least 30% just for teachers, then beyond that, the amount of money that needs to be built on new schools is enormous. But, who would oppose it politically?

I don't disagree overall with what you said but I don't think new schools are the number 1 priority of the Thai educational system. Rote learning & teachers not allowing questioning from students are two higher priorities IMO.

It would help if an education minister that had some knowledge of education was appointed. It might even help if a minister lasted longer than the latest re-shuffle. Unfortunately this position is only regarded as another filler for one of the party factions.

[DocN]

"...bipartisan agreement on national priorities and policies..."

...yeah, right!

[DocN]

It has got NOTHING to do with bipartisanship or PT or Democrats or any of that stuff!

a) loss of face is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. How does a teacher loose face? He can not answer questions by his students. What would be a "Wow...good question! Honestly...I don't know, but I will look it up and tell you in our next lesson!" in ...well...any country I know...would be a reason for uncontrolled damage to the reputation here. So: don't let the students ask, no one looses face!

b ) there is still a ruling class, who needs the uneducated masses in their place!

c) there is still a Culture Ministry, who thinks that 3 pairs of naked boobs on Songkhran on Silom Road do more damage to the country, than the openly shown 100s of boobs and other body parts, just 500 meter from where it happened, on Patpong. The misperception of what is "culture" and "tradition" or the view of Thailand in the world, play a big part in moving the country forward and allowing a more modern way of thinking and "freespiritness" into teaching and learning!

A couple of weeks ago, a very good journalist from the newspaper not to be mentioned had an excellent sunday- column on this.

Edited October 29, 2012 by DocN

[Thai at Heart]

Agreement is needed, but I don't see why this is such a "political" issue. The schools are either good or not, the teaching is either good or not, the curriculum is either good or not. Not one of the political parties in their recent tenures stated that they were going to carry out a massive reform of the entire system. So one could say that no one on any side of the political fence has knuckled down and made this a priority for a very long time.

Of course, there is an enormous need for more investment and to be perfectly frank, I don't care one jot if the budgets are allocated for teachers and schools, and if someone nicks 10% off the bill, as long as the bloody places get built. Classes of 50 have to go, so that alone means that the budget probably needs increasing by at least 30% just for teachers, then beyond that, the amount of money that needs to be built on new schools is enormous. But, who would oppose it politically?

I don't disagree overall with what you said but I don't think new schools are the number 1 priority of the Thai educational system. Rote learning & teachers not allowing questioning from students are two higher priorities IMO.

It would help if an education minister that had some knowledge of education was appointed. It might even help if a minister lasted longer than the latest re-shuffle. Unfortunately this position is only regarded as another filler for one of the party factions.

Of course rote learning has to go, but how does a teacher handle a class of 50 in any other way?

Nothing will change until people realize there is a problem anyway.

Edited October 29, 2012 by Thai at Heart

[OzMick]

It has got NOTHING to do with bipartisanship or PT or Democrats or any of that stuff!

a) loss of face is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. How does a teacher loose face? He can not answer questions by his students. What would be a "Wow...good question! Honestly...I don't know, but I will look it up and tell you in our next lesson!" in ...well...any country I know...would be a reason for uncontrolled damage to the reputation here. So: don't let the students ask, no one looses face!

b ) there is still a ruling class, who needs the uneducated masses in their place!

c) there is still a Culture Ministry, who thinks that 3 pairs of naked boobs on Songkhran on Silom Road do more damage to the country, than the openly shown 100s of boobs and other body parts, just 500 meter from where it happened, on Patpong. The misperception of what is "culture" and "tradition" or the view of Thailand in the world, play a big part in moving the country forward and allowing a more modern way of thinking and "freespiritness" into teaching and learning!

A couple of weeks ago, a very good journalist from the newspaper not to be mentioned had an excellent sunday- column on this.

"b ) there is still a ruling class, who needs the uneducated masses in their place!"

Currently that ruling class is the Shinawatras and their cronies - which explains much of the current emphasis (or lack of) on education.

[DocN]

It has got NOTHING to do with bipartisanship or PT or Democrats or any of that stuff!

a) loss of face is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. How does a teacher loose face? He can not answer questions by his students. What would be a "Wow...good question! Honestly...I don't know, but I will look it up and tell you in our next lesson!" in ...well...any country I know...would be a reason for uncontrolled damage to the reputation here. So: don't let the students ask, no one looses face!

b ) there is still a ruling class, who needs the uneducated masses in their place!

c) there is still a Culture Ministry, who thinks that 3 pairs of naked boobs on Songkhran on Silom Road do more damage to the country, than the openly shown 100s of boobs and other body parts, just 500 meter from where it happened, on Patpong. The misperception of what is "culture" and "tradition" or the view of Thailand in the world, play a big part in moving the country forward and allowing a more modern way of thinking and "freespiritness" into teaching and learning!

A couple of weeks ago, a very good journalist from the newspaper not to be mentioned had an excellent sunday- column on this.

"b ) there is still a ruling class, who needs the uneducated masses in their place!"

Currently that ruling class is the Shinawatras and their cronies - which explains much of the current emphasis (or lack of) on education.

Yeah...right! And of course the ruling class is ONLY and exclusively Thaksin and his family!

...and when you wake up, have your reality checked please!

[OzMick]

It has got NOTHING to do with bipartisanship or PT or Democrats or any of that stuff!

a) loss of face is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. How does a teacher loose face? He can not answer questions by his students. What would be a "Wow...good question! Honestly...I don't know, but I will look it up and tell you in our next lesson!" in ...well...any country I know...would be a reason for uncontrolled damage to the reputation here. So: don't let the students ask, no one looses face!

b ) there is still a ruling class, who needs the uneducated masses in their place!

c) there is still a Culture Ministry, who thinks that 3 pairs of naked boobs on Songkhran on Silom Road do more damage to the country, than the openly shown 100s of boobs and other body parts, just 500 meter from where it happened, on Patpong. The misperception of what is "culture" and "tradition" or the view of Thailand in the world, play a big part in moving the country forward and allowing a more modern way of thinking and "freespiritness" into teaching and learning!

A couple of weeks ago, a very good journalist from the newspaper not to be mentioned had an excellent sunday- column on this.

"b ) there is still a ruling class, who needs the uneducated masses in their place!"

Currently that ruling class is the Shinawatras and their cronies - which explains much of the current emphasis (or lack of) on education.

Yeah...right! And of course the ruling class is ONLY and exclusively Thaksin and his family!

...and when you wake up, have your reality checked please!

Currently that ruling class is the Shinawatras and their cronies................

I am awake and have my reality checked. Maybe if you read the enlarged statement, you can explain your problem with it.

Edited October 29, 2012 by OzMick

[DocN]

It has got NOTHING to do with bipartisanship or PT or Democrats or any of that stuff!

a) loss of face is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. How does a teacher loose face? He can not answer questions by his students. What would be a "Wow...good question! Honestly...I don't know, but I will look it up and tell you in our next lesson!" in ...well...any country I know...would be a reason for uncontrolled damage to the reputation here. So: don't let the students ask, no one looses face!

b ) there is still a ruling class, who needs the uneducated masses in their place!

c) there is still a Culture Ministry, who thinks that 3 pairs of naked boobs on Songkhran on Silom Road do more damage to the country, than the openly shown 100s of boobs and other body parts, just 500 meter from where it happened, on Patpong. The misperception of what is "culture" and "tradition" or the view of Thailand in the world, play a big part in moving the country forward and allowing a more modern way of thinking and "freespiritness" into teaching and learning!

A couple of weeks ago, a very good journalist from the newspaper not to be mentioned had an excellent sunday- column on this.

"b ) there is still a ruling class, who needs the uneducated masses in their place!"

Currently that ruling class is the Shinawatras and their cronies - which explains much of the current emphasis (or lack of) on education.

Yeah...right! And of course the ruling class is ONLY and exclusively Thaksin and his family!

...and when you wake up, have your reality checked please!

Currently that ruling class is the Shinawatras and their cronies................

I am awake and have my reality checked. Maybe if you read the enlarged statement, you can explain your problem with it.

RULING CLASS is not to be understood in terms of RULING PARTY!

RULING CLASS is all of Thailands "elite" and that is a little more than just the "Shimawatras a\nd their cronies...

Thanks for the conversation!

[hellodolly]

Agreement is needed, but I don't see why this is such a "political" issue. The schools are either good or not, the teaching is either good or not, the curriculum is either good or not. Not one of the political parties in their recent tenures stated that they were going to carry out a massive reform of the entire system. So one could say that no one on any side of the political fence has knuckled down and made this a priority for a very long time.

Of course, there is an enormous need for more investment and to be perfectly frank, I don't care one jot if the budgets are allocated for teachers and schools, and if someone nicks 10% off the bill, as long as the bloody places get built. Classes of 50 have to go, so that alone means that the budget probably needs increasing by at least 30% just for teachers, then beyond that, the amount of money that needs to be built on new schools is enormous. But, who would oppose it politically?

I don't disagree overall with what you said but I don't think new schools are the number 1 priority of the Thai educational system. Rote learning & teachers not allowing questioning from students are two higher priorities IMO.

It would help if an education minister that had some knowledge of education was appointed. It might even help if a minister lasted longer than the latest re-shuffle. Unfortunately this position is only regarded as another filler for one of the party factions.

Of course rote learning has to go, but how does a teacher handle a class of 50 in any other way?

Nothing will change until people realize there is a problem anyway.

You are putting the cart in front of the horse. If you have a class of 5 and the teacher is unable to teach what is the difference besides you have made some builders and politicians a lot of money.

Thailand needs qualified teachers not more unqualified ones which is what you would get with the smaller classes. Then you can start to cut the size of the classes down.

Also Thailand has to learn that to go from one grade to another requires a certain amount of knowledge.

Of course none of this is going to happen as long as the minister of educations only qualification is a payment for their support no education needed.

[Thai at Heart]

Agreement is needed, but I don't see why this is such a "political" issue. The schools are either good or not, the teaching is either good or not, the curriculum is either good or not. Not one of the political parties in their recent tenures stated that they were going to carry out a massive reform of the entire system. So one could say that no one on any side of the political fence has knuckled down and made this a priority for a very long time.

Of course, there is an enormous need for more investment and to be perfectly frank, I don't care one jot if the budgets are allocated for teachers and schools, and if someone nicks 10% off the bill, as long as the bloody places get built. Classes of 50 have to go, so that alone means that the budget probably needs increasing by at least 30% just for teachers, then beyond that, the amount of money that needs to be built on new schools is enormous. But, who would oppose it politically?

I don't disagree overall with what you said but I don't think new schools are the number 1 priority of the Thai educational system. Rote learning & teachers not allowing questioning from students are two higher priorities IMO.

It would help if an education minister that had some knowledge of education was appointed. It might even help if a minister lasted longer than the latest re-shuffle. Unfortunately this position is only regarded as another filler for one of the party factions.

Of course rote learning has to go, but how does a teacher handle a class of 50 in any other way?

Nothing will change until people realize there is a problem anyway.

You are putting the cart in front of the horse. If you have a class of 5 and the teacher is unable to teach what is the difference besides you have made some builders and politicians a lot of money.

Thailand needs qualified teachers not more unqualified ones which is what you would get with the smaller classes. Then you can start to cut the size of the classes down.

Also Thailand has to learn that to go from one grade to another requires a certain amount of knowledge.

Of course none of this is going to happen as long as the minister of educations only qualification is a payment for their support no education needed.

So you want to retrain all the ones you have?, or rapidly add two halve the class sizes?

Where is everyone going to sit? In the road? Unless of course, they hire the teachers, and run 3 shifts of 8 hours in the same school.

I have yet to find one truly outstanding high school teacher in this country. Yes they need better, but they desperately need more. My wife is a trained teacher. She had a reunion last month.

12,500 baht a month I've if her friends was on after 12 years. Yes there are benefits, but........

Edited October 29, 2012 by Thai at Heart

[hellodolly]

So you want to retrain all the ones you have?, or rapidly add two halve the class sizes?

Where is everyone going to sit? In the road? Unless of course, they hire the teachers, and run 3 shifts of 8 hours in the same school.

I have yet to find one truly outstanding high school teacher in this country. Yes they need better, but they desperately need more. My wife is a trained teacher. She had a reunion last month.

12,500 baht a month I've if her friends was on after 12 years. Yes there are benefits, but....

Thai at Heart

Not sure where you are going here.Yes many of the teachers need retraining. They cannot teach a class of 5 50 or 100.

They could start the retraining doing school breaks. A slow process but better than what they have.

But besides retraining they could start putting stiffer qualifications on the new ones coming on the market.

A decent pay for a teacher would inspire more people to go into education. As is you get a lot of sub par teachers because you only offer them a sub par wage.

Build all the buildings you want with electricity in them but if you have people who can't teach you will still come up with a lot of minimal education. It won't help that much.

I say help that much because I know there are teachers that it would make a big difference with.

Also scrap the policy of pass a student no matter how little they know.

The reality is that no matter what the answer is the government is not interested.

Edited October 29, 2012 by hellodolly

[Markaew]

Valid point - 8 governments in 10 years - 15 ministers - if any of them were competent enough in the role to actually affect positive changes, simply shows education has stalled and whilst buying substandard tablets has kept the kids happy - saves them going to internet games shops, it proves education amongst Thai's is hardly the county's priority. Until government of this country can run a full term and have ministers who understand the necessities, education will fall into the simple vote grabbing populist policies of politicians rather than directed by the conscience of actually improving the lives of students for their, and Thailand's, future.

Fat chance of that.

[Thai at Heart]

So you want to retrain all the ones you have?, or rapidly add two halve the class sizes?

Where is everyone going to sit? In the road? Unless of course, they hire the teachers, and run 3 shifts of 8 hours in the same school.

I have yet to find one truly outstanding high school teacher in this country. Yes they need better, but they desperately need more. My wife is a trained teacher. She had a reunion last month.

12,500 baht a month I've if her friends was on after 12 years. Yes there are benefits, but....

Thai at Heart

Not sure where you are going here.Yes many of the teachers need retraining. They cannot teach a class of 5 50 or 100.

They could start the retraining doing school breaks. A slow process but better than what they have.

But besides retraining they could start putting stiffer qualifications on the new ones coming on the market.

A decent pay for a teacher would inspire more people to go into education. As is you get a lot of sub par teachers because you only offer them a sub par wage.

Build all the buildings you want with electricity in them but if you have people who can't teach you will still come up with a lot of minimal education. It won't help that much.

I say help that much because I know there are teachers that it would make a big difference with.

Also scrap the policy of pass a student no matter how little they know.

The reality is that no matter what the answer is the government is not interested.

My principle is that they are in desperate need of both facilities and number of teachers. It is also I believe a hell of a lot easier to teach a new dog tricks than to retrain people who have been doing it the same way for 30 years. Beyond that, implementing a more rigorous curriculum in say science, is utterly pointless if they don't even have a single microscope in the school. Get rid of the bloody tea money nonsense, and instead pay the teachers correctly from government coffers.

If they brought back public flogging for teachers corrupting the system, I would probably back that too, because that is a disgraceful affront to the future of the country. lol

The government either prioritises this or they don't, shake up the system and bring in new faces and new blood, give the weaker older ones early retirement, accept the cost but realise, it will effectively take 10 years for any changes now to have any effect whatsoever.

[indyuk]

Valid point - 8 governments in 10 years - 15 ministers - if any of them were competent enough in the role to actually affect positive changes, simply shows education has stalled and whilst buying substandard tablets has kept the kids happy - saves them going to internet games shops, it proves education amongst Thai's is hardly the county's priority. Until government of this country can run a full term and have ministers who understand the necessities, education will fall into the simple vote grabbing populist policies of politicians rather than directed by the conscience of actually improving the lives of students for their, and Thailand's, future.

First the people have to accept a lawfully elected government and maintain this support them throughout the government's their chosen term up to the maximum of 4 years.

Second no Minister should be removed unless there are grounds to impeach for poor performance of corruption.

Three introduce the penalty of 20 years in prison for corruption as a fixed penalty that may not be reduced for anyone.

Four give the Minister of Education sufficient budget to do whatever is necessary to respond operationally to the current PISA analysis and to ensure that the O-Net tests are set annually.

[whybother]

First the people have to accept a lawfully elected government and maintain this support them throughout the government's their chosen term up to the maximum of 4 years.

In what country do supporters of the opposition parties support the government during their term?

Second no Minister should be removed unless there are grounds to impeach for poor performance of corruption.

So, that's the current government out the door. (and probably the next one before they even get started)

Three introduce the penalty of 20 years in prison for corruption as a fixed penalty that may not be reduced for anyone.

So, that's the current government in jail for 20 years. (and probably the next one)

Four give the Minister of Education sufficient budget to do whatever is necessary to respond operationally to the current PISA analysis and to ensure that the O-Net tests are set annually.

In this country, there is no such thing as "sufficient budget". Too many pockets to fill.

[Nickymaster]

"But have politicians ever paused to think that such policies may endanger the country's future?"

Thai politicians thinking about the future?? Why should they? Grab what you can grab TODAY because tomorrow another politician will start GRABBING!