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New school term expenses to reach Bt53 billion
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, May 9 – The Thai public’s expenses for the coming school term are expected to reach Bt53 billion, a 6.7-per cent rise.

Thai Chamber of Commerce University (UTCC)'s Economic and Business Forecasting Center director Thanawat Polvichai said a survey was recently conducted among 1,200 parents nationwide.

Expenses for educational materials increased 44 per cent year-on-year with the same amount of the bought goods and each person to spend around Bt9,100 on average.

Course fees also increased with each student to pay Bt10,000/person, while key money given to schools once a change in schools took place increased 77 per cent or around Bt7,400/person.

However, Dr Thanawat said the amount of money to be circulated was expected to reach Bt55 billion, or around 8-10 per cent increase year-on-year.

Most parents see school equipment as more expensive this year, and together with the stronger baht currency, both resulting in a more careful way of spending.

They also want the government to continue providing a free 12-year education policy to the public as well as its giving out free school uniforms and its providing educational loans.

While parents tend to use credit cards for spending this year, pawnshops are also popular upcountry in regards to taking the money to buy schooling items for their children, with gold ornaments as the favourite item. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-05-09

[whybother]

Most parents see school equipment as more expensive this year, and together with the stronger baht currency, both resulting in a more careful way of spending.

Wouldn't the stronger baht make equipment cheaper?

[slapout]

Maybe if they were sending their children to a foreign country for schooling. Most are paying local tuition, uniform cost, materials, etc, thus the increase in cost. But there is no inflation for the people to worry about.

[LucidLucifer]

I'm not sure about the free school uniforms part, unless it was means tested. That money would be much better spent on resources to enhance teaching and learning.

[MaxLee]

Students and parents in Thailand, are wasting their money for ZERO substance education, because it is sooooo required, of course.

Kids and students spend over 3 quarters of a day at school, go to tutoring schools afterwards to study for exams, and are bombarded with homework from subjects that they won't need in their daily lives 4ever

[Thai at Heart]

Most parents see school equipment as more expensive this year, and together with the stronger baht currency, both resulting in a more careful way of spending.

Wouldn't the stronger baht make equipment cheaper?

I am sure Somchais chalk factory, and Somsaks pencil factory can find most of the materials domestically.

[Robby nz]

While parents tend to use credit cards for spending this year, pawnshops are also popular upcountry in regards to taking the money to buy schooling items for their children, with gold ornaments as the favourite item.

That last bit must be the most worrying as it indicated a fair percentage of people are going into debt just to get their kids equipped to go to school.

And the word "upcountry" would indicate that people in red heartland have run out of credit and are having to pawn (sell) valuables.

What about those hard hit by he weather and other factors who can get neither credit nor have anything left to sell, what will happen to their kids?

Havent gone into how into just what it will cost for the young fella that stays with us yet, guess that will be something for next week.

[Markaew]

I have been involved in the public schools "upcountry". The skimming is massive and so are the lies to justify their behavior. If the cost of public schools are going up then the skimmers are just getting more greedy.

As a foreign teacher, it is often required to give monthly kick backs just to get your job. If you have an agency that's an absolute. But that's true for public schools throughout Thailand. That has nothing to do with the budget but it just goes to show the level of corruption.

Edited May 9, 2013 by Markaew

[rubl]

Interestingly enough the Ministry of Education has a THB 420.4 billion chunk out of the 2012/2013 National Budget. That's around 18%. Not sure how it's spent though.

[Locationthailand]

The stated figures are just further examples the cost of living has rocketed due to the gross fiscal mismanagement of the treasury, populist policies and of course corruption. It is, in my opinion, unable to be repaired having festered way out of control.

[SOTIRIOS]

.....so much for accessible education........

.....and they did not factor in the 'tablet fiasco' either, I imagine.....

[belg]

books in my kids school went from 500 (or 600 last year to 1500 !!!

[Payboy]

Bt53 Billion

Most of it is going towards wi-fi for the tablets, I suppose.

[thequietman]

A shirt for monday and tuesday with the students name and school to be sowed onto it, with shorts and footwear. Wednesday is scout day with a different colour shirt and cravat. Thursday is sports day with tracksuit bottoms and sports top provided only by the school ofcourse. Buying your own is not an option. One school backpack required but have to buy from the school cause it has school crest on. Memory stick required for computer class................... yes, you guessed it, the school has them. Except they are copies but hey mai pen rai.

Then you have kindergarten where the little darlings have to have a graduation outfit. They are graduating from shitting in their pants and playing in the sandpit to prathom 1.

Now don't even get me started on the dress code and requirements for a Thai University.

All show with no substance.

Edited May 10, 2013 by thequietman

[slapout]

Interestingly enough the Ministry of Education has a THB 420.4 billion chunk out of the 2012/2013 National Budget. That's around 18%. Not sure how it's spent though.

You would probably need the full assistance of the Banking system (underground, national and International) every spook and IT organization, just to track the ante (40 to 50%), Then you could wade through the landmine field called 'doing business Thai style' to follow the other 200 billion. By the time you think your going in the right direction, the coffers will need topped up with emergency funds for that rainey day which arrived.

[wolfmanjack]

A shirt for monday and tuesday with the students name and school to be sowed onto it, with shorts and footwear. Wednesday is scout day with a different colour shirt and cravat. Thursday is sports day with tracksuit bottoms and sports top provided only by the school ofcourse. Buying your own is not an option. One school backpack required but have to buy from the school cause it has school crest on. Memory stick required for computer class................... yes, you guessed it, the school has them. Except they are copies but hey mai pen rai.

Then you have kindergarten where the little darlings have to have a graduation outfit. They are graduating from shitting in their pants and playing in the sandpit to prathom 1.

Now don't even get me started on the dress code and requirements for a Thai University.

All show with no substance.

Don't forget the Friday traditional thai suit. Last year the school gave the kids the thai uniform free plus 552 baht, free lunch, free books and free turition.

This year the uniforms cost me over 2,000 baht and tuition was over 4,000 baht. I did get a refund of 360 baht instead of the 552 baht that I got last year.

For people that have more than one kid and are on minimal salaries i can see why they are having to borrow money to pay for school.