For Thai Education, Grand Vision Needs Consistent Policies

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
For Thai education, grand vision needs consistent policies
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Govt must give its latest minister the time to achieve some real results

Every Thai education minister enters the stage with a bang and, in quick succession, leaves with a whimper. Editorials have been written and warnings sounded, but the powers-that-be still see Thai education as a political revolving-door playground. More than 10 education ministers have come and gone in the governments associated with Thaksin Shinawatra alone. That number speaks for itself of the failure of political will and sincerity to upgrade the quality of our schools, teachers and students.

Now, cue Phongthep Thepkanjana, the latest in line. To be fair, he looks more promising than his recent predecessors from the same political camp. The "teach less, learn more" is quite an impressive tagline to start a tenure, but even he must admit that it's just a baby step while a mountain stands in front of him.

Let's get straight to the points, and Point Number One is that Thai education must be kept away from populism. Education is long-term investment and it's doomed from the start if our politicians' goal is to reap political gains. Giving out computer tablets, for example, may win you votes, but it's absolutely useless if its purpose was political advertisement. To improve Thai education, one needs to do something that may go unnoticed today but bear fruit 10 years later, by which time somebody else could be the government or controls the Education Ministry.

Point Number Two is that education policies need consistency. As for Thailand, 10 ministers mean 10 policies have been downgraded, put on the backburner or blatantly cancelled. With rivalry strong between the two polarised political camps, policies are not judged on their own merit but on who initiated them. In best cases, good policies belonging to a rival are reviewed and re-started, so the latest one in control can claim credit. As long as it benefits them, Thai politicians don't care how much effort has been made and how long a project will be delayed.

Point Number Three is that a higher quality of Thai teachers can never be achieved without an absolute change to the whole political mindset. "Training the trainers" is not about holding events, making some TV commercials and putting up a few billboards. It's a serious business where all the work must be done behind the scenes. Again, it's a long-term undertaking whose worst enemy is politics.

As with all predecessors, Phongthep arrived on stage with big plans and high hopes. He also has seemed to speak about all the right things. New teaching and learning methodologies are being developed as part of a big reform, he said. The new minister sees the importance of competitiveness in a fast-changing world. He knows how much education is essential with the Asian Economic Community around the corner.

We can feel upbeat by his vision, or we can be worried by the similarities between him and those who have been there before. Suchart Tadathamrongvej had a lot of grand plans. Woravat Auapinyakul knew about poor teaching qualities and wanted to do something about it. The public loved what they had to say about Thai education, about new approaches. Both of them lasted just a few months on the job.

Phongthep's biggest challenge is not to come up with a good vision, but to carry out a vision all the way, selflessly and behind the scenes. Obstacles are as much around him as in rural schools. In a political environment where everyone needs something to promote himself about, Phongthep will be the one who lays down foundation work and doesn't care who cuts the ribbons when the building is finished.

In Thailand, teachers consider themselves "hired boatmen", whose only job is to transport passengers to the other side of the river. Past education ministers, perhaps too busy entering and leaving the revolving door, do not think of themselves as such. Can Phongthep be a boatman himself, a relatively faceless figure doing a relatively thankless job? Will his boss(es) ever come to realise the importance of the "consistency" factor? The answers will tell us how much hope we should have for the future of Thai education.

-- The Nation 2013-03-24

[Mosha]

"In Thailand, teachers consider themselves "hired boatmen", whose only job is to transport passengers to the other side of the river. Past education ministers, perhaps too busy entering and leaving the revolving door, do not think of themselves as such. Can Phongthep be a boatman himself, a relatively faceless figure doing a relatively thankless job?
Will his boss(es) ever come to realise the importance of the "consistency" factor? The answers will tell us how much hope we should have for the future of Thai education."

In my experience Thai teachers have an over inflated opinion of themselves. Which isn't helped by the population they help indoctrinate. One friend can't understand why I don't hold her old teachers in awe.

Brits, and maybe Aussies will be familiar with. "Those who can ,do. Those who can't, teach."

Edited March 24, 2013 by Mosha

[Thai at Heart]

The nub of the point, is that this has to go beyond a political appointment of a minister.

They system is bust, so they need a professional educational administrator in charge and give him 10 years in the job. Get hold of a retired Singaporean educational expert and let the bonfire of platitudes, ineffectual curriculums and corruption start.

Edited March 24, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[chainarong]

Thai at Heart is onto it , ministers come and go, you are going to need a bit more than a grand vision to rescue Thailand's eduction system, an influx of professional academics with vast experience in Education, loads of Money , scrap half the military budget,(modernise the military) put the money into schools ,introduce proper Standards in English , so that uni Graduates don't stagnate in Thailand and can be at home in any democratic country, there needs to be a monetary value placed on teachers , Singapore or Hong Kong are both roll models to copy , Thailand needs to understand that to get top academic'a they need to pay money, after saying all that, we seem to get this grand vision each year , what they really need is a grand wizard.

[MaxLee]

EDITORIAL

For Thai education, grand vision needs consistent policies

The Nation

The reality is: Let the brainwashing and no-common-sense-eradication-propaganda continue

[Thai at Heart]

Thai at Heart is onto it , ministers come and go, you are going to need a bit more than a grand vision to rescue Thailand's eduction system, an influx of professional academics with vast experience in Education, loads of Money , scrap half the military budget,(modernise the military) put the money into schools ,introduce proper Standards in English , so that uni Graduates don't stagnate in Thailand and can be at home in any democratic country, there needs to be a monetary value placed on teachers , Singapore or Hong Kong are both roll models to copy , Thailand needs to understand that to get top academic'a they need to pay money, after saying all that, we seem to get this grand vision each year , what they really need is a grand wizard.

I would be happy if they revised what and how they teach.

The issue about "how" teaching is undertaken really is the first step. There is a place for some rote learning, but the need to get kids to want to learn themselves and be happy to be investigative and make mistakes is a bigger step completely. It would involve a virtual change in Thai culture.

What they teach should be pretty easy, but the idea that in some way an educational curriculum is somehow responsible for imbibing a culture has to stop.

[chainarong]

Thai at Heart is onto it , ministers come and go, you are going to need a bit more than a grand vision to rescue Thailand's eduction system, an influx of professional academics with vast experience in Education, loads of Money , scrap half the military budget,(modernise the military) put the money into schools ,introduce proper Standards in English , so that uni Graduates don't stagnate in Thailand and can be at home in any democratic country, there needs to be a monetary value placed on teachers , Singapore or Hong Kong are both roll models to copy , Thailand needs to understand that to get top academic'a they need to pay money, after saying all that, we seem to get this grand vision each year , what they really need is a grand wizard.

I would be happy if they revised what and how they teach.

The issue about "how" teaching is undertaken really is the first step. There is a place for some rote learning, but the need to get kids to want to learn themselves and be happy to be investigative and make mistakes is a bigger step completely. It would involve a virtual change in Thai culture.

What they teach should be pretty easy, but the idea that in some way an educational curriculum is somehow responsible for imbibing a culture has to stop.

You have a valid point , however ,you don't need to change culture to teach the three RRRs properly ,dumbing down here is away of life.

[Mosha]

Thai at Heart is onto it , ministers come and go, you are going to need a bit more than a grand vision to rescue Thailand's eduction system, an influx of professional academics with vast experience in Education, loads of Money , scrap half the military budget,(modernise the military) put the money into schools ,introduce proper Standards in English , so that uni Graduates don't stagnate in Thailand and can be at home in any democratic country, there needs to be a monetary value placed on teachers , Singapore or Hong Kong are both roll models to copy , Thailand needs to understand that to get top academic'a they need to pay money, after saying all that, we seem to get this grand vision each year , what they really need is a grand wizard.

I would be happy if they revised what and how they teach.

The issue about "how" teaching is undertaken really is the first step. There is a place for some rote learning, but the need to get kids to want to learn themselves and be happy to be investigative and make mistakes is a bigger step completely. It would involve a virtual change in Thai culture.

What they teach should be pretty easy, but the idea that in some way an educational curriculum is somehow responsible for imbibing a culture has to stop.

You have a valid point , however ,you don't need to change culture to teach the three RRRs properly ,dumbing down here is away of life.

Sadly the dumbing down is not unique to this part of the world. Western governments no longer need a smart working class.

[DocN]

Thais have to embrace the "truth", that performance is more important than face.

If all students pass, no matter how lazy they are, no matter how bad their performance is, if teachers are seen as "all knowing" and "unquestionable", as long as authority is more important than real knowledge, nothing will change.

[chainarong]

Thai at Heart is onto it , ministers come and go, you are going to need a bit more than a grand vision to rescue Thailand's eduction system, an influx of professional academics with vast experience in Education, loads of Money , scrap half the military budget,(modernise the military) put the money into schools ,introduce proper Standards in English , so that uni Graduates don't stagnate in Thailand and can be at home in any democratic country, there needs to be a monetary value placed on teachers , Singapore or Hong Kong are both roll models to copy , Thailand needs to understand that to get top academic'a they need to pay money, after saying all that, we seem to get this grand vision each year , what they really need is a grand wizard.

I would be happy if they revised what and how they teach.

The issue about "how" teaching is undertaken really is the first step. There is a place for some rote learning, but the need to get kids to want to learn themselves and be happy to be investigative and make mistakes is a bigger step completely. It would involve a virtual change in Thai culture.

What they teach should be pretty easy, but the idea that in some way an educational curriculum is somehow responsible for imbibing a culture has to stop.

You have a valid point , however ,you don't need to change culture to teach the three RRRs properly ,dumbing down here is away of life.

Sadly the dumbing down is not unique to this part of the world. Western governments no longer need a smart working class.

Yeah really , have you seen the Indonesians dumb down on mine sites, dumbing down in Asia and Africa , we ref to as the allowance.

[culicine]

Thai at Heart is onto it , ministers come and go, you are going to need a bit more than a grand vision to rescue Thailand's eduction system, an influx of professional academics with vast experience in Education, loads of Money , scrap half the military budget,(modernise the military) put the money into schools ,introduce proper Standards in English , so that uni Graduates don't stagnate in Thailand and can be at home in any democratic country, there needs to be a monetary value placed on teachers , Singapore or Hong Kong are both roll models to copy , Thailand needs to understand that to get top academic'a they need to pay money, after saying all that, we seem to get this grand vision each year , what they really need is a grand wizard.

I read a post recently by a young woman who grew up in the Singapore education system. She commented that their good scores come not from any special curriculum (we use a lot of Singaporean books in my school), but mostly to the work ethic of the students and highly trained teachers. They also got quite an amount of homework too.

So no amount of budget or good intentions will change anything until student's attitudes to hard work, along with better training / pay / conditions change drastically. And they will need to, to keep up with their fellow AEC members.

[scorecard]

Many good points raised, and all are important / critical to achieve change, and my comment, today is on the implementation of such change.

Difficult: YES. Possible: YES.

Here's an example of the internal barriers at the school level from the experience of a family member, about 18 months ago:

- Headmistress (big famous Bkk Govt high school) called all teachers to a presentation about student centered learning / student participation, etc.

- Teachers immediately sent a deputation to the headmistress to tell her:

- The teachers were highly insulted at any suggestion that change was needed.

- Teachers demanded that the headmistress promise she would:

- Never arrange such a presen tation again

- Never allow any outside people (from the Education ministry) to ever set foot on the scholl if they were coming to talk about changes in teaching methodology.

- Headmistress under severe pressure and threats agrees to all the teachers demands.

I repeat: Difficult: YES. Possible: YES. In fact it has to be possible because long-term it has to change (change now would of course be better).

Question 1: Is the current minister capable of supervising the creation of a master plan for strong change? Answer (IMHO) NO.

Question 2: Are the senior permanent officiials within the ministry one of the biggest stumbling blocks? YES.

Because it will be difficult, does if need the PM (not necessarily the current one) to be the active Champion of Change: YES.

Are there outside educational agencies / consultancies that could help develop the clear objectives of change and master plan for change for Thailand? YES.

Many folks will know that Singapore is rated about 2 or 3 in the world today for quality of education (Finland is #1), and the Singapore education ministry has built an impressive Education Consultancy within the ministry, with something like 200 impressive professional education consultants.

This consultancy has been advising the Vietnamese Education ministry and the positive results and now apparent.

The same consultancy also has a string of success stories in the old Eastern European countries.

Change is possible if the will is very strong.

Edited March 24, 2013 by scorecard

[Arkady]

Thai education works like this. Those with connections and money can get their children into elite tea money schools. These are poor by international standards but the parents don't really understand this. However, they do realise the need to send their kids to outside tutorials which are good enough to get their kids into Chula or Thammasat which are also ranked close to rock bottom internationally but, again, parents don't realise this and they are still much better than other unis in Thailand - they still permit copious cheating right up to PhD level. They then go to the US for an MBA in one of the crap state colleges that accept poor quality overseas students for their MBA programs to subside their instate bachelors degree students. The real elite, who are a tiny percentage, are sent to boarding schools in the UK or US which enable to get into good universities for their bachelors and masters, if they are willing to do the work.

The policticians and bureaucrats who make the decisions are quite satisfied with the way the above system works for their kids and see no reason to fix something that ain't broke. For them the masses, particularly the rural Thai Thais are lazy and good for nothing much. Their kids get the education they deserve because they are too lazy to work hard and sacrifice themselves to get into the system above. Why do they need better education to be subsistence rice farmers or assembly line factory workers anyway? The most important thing is the perception of both red and yellow ends of the political spectrum that the feudal system that benefits corrupt politicians will be destroyed forever, if the people are awoken by education and refuse to vote for them any more. Besides the education ministry is good place to make boat loads of money. So there is no will to change things, whatever government is in power.

[Soi Dog]

Scorecard and Arkady hit the nails on the head. In many respects this is like the US system where until recently there was absolutely no way to reward the good teachers and get rid of the bad ones because of the strength of the teachers' unions. Even now, progress in this area is tentative and spotty and until there is a way to make real progress the results will be same depressing results we have been seeing for so many years.

[lungmi]

Arkady, you confirm my experience 100%.

The open corruption of Thailand is well known. But the "hidden" corruption created by the "system" you describe is fatal. Being member of an "important" family you have all the possibility to be "successful" at your school outside

your real abilities. With your diploma a job in the bureaucracy is guaranteed (the family supports you). But you have to pay back: you have to "support" your family by "corruption" in your job.

[SgtPepper]

Teachers in Thailand are responsible to the system and not to the students (as they should be).

[atyclb]

Thai education works like this. Those with connections and money can get their children into elite tea money schools. These are poor by international standards but the parents don't really understand this. However, they do realise the need to send their kids to outside tutorials which are good enough to get their kids into Chula or Thammasat which are also ranked close to rock bottom internationally but, again, parents don't realise this and they are still much better than other unis in Thailand - they still permit copious cheating right up to PhD level. They then go to the US for an MBA in one of the crap state colleges that accept poor quality overseas students for their MBA programs to subside their instate bachelors degree students. The real elite, who are a tiny percentage, are sent to boarding schools in the UK or US which enable to get into good universities for their bachelors and masters, if they are willing to do the work.

The policticians and bureaucrats who make the decisions are quite satisfied with the way the above system works for their kids and see no reason to fix something that ain't broke. For them the masses, particularly the rural Thai Thais are lazy and good for nothing much. Their kids get the education they deserve because they are too lazy to work hard and sacrifice themselves to get into the system above. Why do they need better education to be subsistence rice farmers or assembly line factory workers anyway? The most important thing is the perception of both red and yellow ends of the political spectrum that the feudal system that benefits corrupt politicians will be destroyed forever, if the people are awoken by education and refuse to vote for them any more. Besides the education ministry is good place to make boat loads of money. So there is no will to change things, whatever government is in power.

You have a quite good understanding of what I have observed also. In some ways the USA education system is broken and failing also, but the baseline student is usually able to think critically, though not 100%. One developing country in particular produces many high level graduates; India. Some of their universities are amazingly strict and high quality, IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) as one example. Many an Indian rejected from IIT ended up in Cornell or the likes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK0Y9j_CGgM an interesting video

[lemonjelly]

So many negative posts re: Thai teachers ! The teachers that I work with are dedicated to their students and form strong bonds with them. These teachers are also frustrated with the 'no fail' scenario and feel that their efforts to teach are being continuosly disrupted by provincial and national bureacrats.

[MEL1]

"BANGKOK: -- Govt must give its latest minister the time to achieve some real results"

And the next, and the next (2015), and the next(2017)......... an the net,(ooops 2020)

an he ne,(2021)

a he e, (2024)

a, (2030)

a, (2040)

a, (2050)

a, (2060)

a b, (2112)

ab, (2114)

abc, (2235)

abc, (2236)

abcd, (3478) - hey, Thailand is going places educationally, thanks to new HRH Thaksin Kannotcount CXIV.

-mel.

[bendywire]

The same old stuff each year but no real answers. As a teacher all you have to do is pass the student regardless of how good or bad they are and that is your job done. Another thing they should look at is the amount of holidays taken each year. Four months a year without school is just too much and it is only a few that continue to study during March, April, May and October. If as a student you are studying for only 8 months not including national holidays or the weeks sports day or the other pointless activity days then you will lose the will to study.

[bendywire]

Thai education works like this. Those with connections and money can get their children into elite tea money schools. These are poor by international standards but the parents don't really understand this. However, they do realise the need to send their kids to outside tutorials which are good enough to get their kids into Chula or Thammasat which are also ranked close to rock bottom internationally but, again, parents don't realise this and they are still much better than other unis in Thailand - they still permit copious cheating right up to PhD level. They then go to the US for an MBA in one of the crap state colleges that accept poor quality overseas students for their MBA programs to subside their instate bachelors degree students. The real elite, who are a tiny percentage, are sent to boarding schools in the UK or US which enable to get into good universities for their bachelors and masters, if they are willing to do the work.

The policticians and bureaucrats who make the decisions are quite satisfied with the way the above system works for their kids and see no reason to fix something that ain't broke. For them the masses, particularly the rural Thai Thais are lazy and good for nothing much. Their kids get the education they deserve because they are too lazy to work hard and sacrifice themselves to get into the system above. Why do they need better education to be subsistence rice farmers or assembly line factory workers anyway? The most important thing is the perception of both red and yellow ends of the political spectrum that the feudal system that benefits corrupt politicians will be destroyed forever, if the people are awoken by education and refuse to vote for them any more. Besides the education ministry is good place to make boat loads of money. So there is no will to change things, whatever government is in power.

Well said.

[MaxLee]

100-200 students in a classroom with just 1 teacher.

Do I need to say more...

You're trying to teach a classroom of 100 individuals with different personalities the same thing what they call "general education", you're loosing yourself.

[bigbamboo]

So on average an Education Minister in a Thaksin administration spends less than a year in office....or about the time it takes to obtain a Masters Degree in Kentucky.

Edited March 24, 2013 by bigbamboo

[Pimay1]

So on average an Education Minister in a Thaksin administration on average lasts less than a year in office.

Or about the time it takes to obtain a Masters Degree in Kentucky.

Especially if the only English you know is "hello where you come from"?

[djjamie]

So on average an Education Minister in a Thaksin administration on average lasts less than a year in office.

Or about the time it takes to obtain a Masters Degree in Kentucky.

Especially if the only English you know is "hello where you come from"?

haha. I just raised this point on BP too. A Thai in Australia can finish a masters degree without having to learn English. I know, my brother gets paid $1000 to do their thesis.

[lungmi]

So many negative posts re: Thai teachers ! The teachers that I work with are dedicated to their students and form strong bonds with them. These teachers are also frustrated with the 'no fail' scenario and feel that their efforts to teach are being continuosly disrupted by provincial and national bureacrats.

You are right. But it's only one part of the reality. I have been "forced" by a group of Thai English teachers of 3 schools in our area to apply for a work permit. I refused knowing the crazy conditions to teach English in Thailand.

We found the solution: with the support of some friends we agreed to make a contract with the concerned institutions: Teaching English to English teachers how to teach English.

I'm no native speaker, but 3 MA for German, French and Education Psychology are on my account, all translated and certified in Thai.

Don't ask who are my friends (one speaks French and German and is MP)

[culicine]

I wouldn't trash on the Thai education system too much. I've taught 12 years here so far, and have had quite a number of students (generally going from M3), then going to do an exchange overseas for a year; generally to the US. In almost all cases the students have done exceedingly well relative to their US peers in the same grade level. One student stands out. He was just average in maths in my class but in the US he was top of his class and was even put into competitions. A couple of my better students several years ago went to Australia (M3) and said how easy the maths was. The same has happened when a few students transferred out to International schools (they seemed to be a year behind in the curriculum.

having said that, major changes are needed in this country, but a lot had to do with putting money into the right direction - resources, curriculum, training, for there to be a more widespread impact (not just the elite, but across the masses), for there to be real benefits to society as a whole. Unfortunately, only those with the ability to pay seem to get a decent education in this country.

[culicine]

So many negative posts re: Thai teachers ! The teachers that I work with are dedicated to their students and form strong bonds with them. These teachers are also frustrated with the 'no fail' scenario and feel that their efforts to teach are being continuosly disrupted by provincial and national bureacrats.

You are right. But it's only one part of the reality. I have been "forced" by a group of Thai English teachers of 3 schools in our area to apply for a work permit. I refused knowing the crazy conditions to teach English in Thailand.

We found the solution: with the support of some friends we agreed to make a contract with the concerned institutions: Teaching English to English teachers how to teach English.

I'm no native speaker, but 3 MA for German, French and Education Psychology are on my account, all translated and certified in Thai.

Don't ask who are my friends (one speaks French and German and is MP)

ALL kinds of work require a work permit - even volunteer work. So technically you are working illegally if you don't have one.

[lungmi]

So many negative posts re: Thai teachers ! The teachers that I work with are dedicated to their students and form strong bonds with them. These teachers are also frustrated with the 'no fail' scenario and feel that their efforts to teach are being continuosly disrupted by provincial and national bureacrats.

You are right. But it's only one part of the reality. I have been "forced" by a group of Thai English teachers of 3 schools in our area to apply for a work permit. I refused knowing the crazy conditions to teach English in Thailand.

We found the solution: with the support of some friends we agreed to make a contract with the concerned institutions: Teaching English to English teachers how to teach English.

I'm no native speaker, but 3 MA for German, French and Education Psychology are on my account, all translated and certified in Thai.

Don't ask who are my friends (one speaks French and German and is MP)

ALL kinds of work require a work permit - even volunteer work. So technically you are working illegally if you don't have one.

You are right, but in my case not. I have all papers for a work permit, I never used them. Now Thai people push me to apply for a work permit.

I open already an English school for Hill Tribe people in my wat - no licence, no money, no curriculum, but the law of intelligent learning by doing.

Edited March 24, 2013 by lungmi

[bigbamboo]

So many negative posts re: Thai teachers ! The teachers that I work with are dedicated to their students and form strong bonds with them. These teachers are also frustrated with the 'no fail' scenario and feel that their efforts to teach are being continuosly disrupted by provincial and national bureacrats.

You are right. But it's only one part of the reality. I have been "forced" by a group of Thai English teachers of 3 schools in our area to apply for a work permit. I refused knowing the crazy conditions to teach English in Thailand.

We found the solution: with the support of some friends we agreed to make a contract with the concerned institutions: Teaching English to English teachers how to teach English.

I'm no native speaker, but 3 MA for German, French and Education Psychology are on my account, all translated and certified in Thai.

Don't ask who are my friends (one speaks French and German and is MP)

ALL kinds of work require a work permit - even volunteer work. So technically you are working illegally if you don't have one.

As long as you are not officially doing any work then you're OK. No one can stop you 'helping out' but you cannot do so in conjunction with any official documentation.