Education Min Phongthep admits Thai education system unsatisfactory

[AnotherOneAmerican]

My son attend a privat school in Surin 1 class or patum 1 or what they call it, english program. The english book they are using is written by two thais, i guess well paid for their effort. It is just terrible. When i complain to the teachers they just say, yes its all about practise. But when a 7 year old have to learn words he dont understand, i understand why the thais dont speak english. And i pay 25000 bth a term for this kind of rubbish, im at a loss what to do. Move to Bangkok or Chiang Mai to get him into an international school or what.

I think you are being ripped off. The private school I work at in Bangkok charges about 30,000 baht per term. Students study 9 periods of English with foreigners per week, and every student has 2 text books and an additional workbook from Oxford University Press. We have a very low turnover of foreign teachers too.

I have heard many stories of schools with 'English Programs' that have incomplete resources or a lack of foreign teachers to teach English.

I'd advise everyone to investigate thoroughly before throwing money away by signing up at any school in Thailand. Some are far better than others which are often perceived to be either in name or what is handed out on a glossy brochure.

Are the foreigners native English speakers with degrees and teacher training (not TEFL)?

or are they just foreigners prepared to work cheap with no real educational teaching qualifications and no work permits?

[MaxLee]

Thailand's nation educated propaganda-brainwashed into a nation of sissies, that are too damn scared to make mistakes or speak up against authorities, that is real democracy backstabbing tyranny of the rich and powerful Thai Elite, and most of them from Chinese ancestries...

[scorecard]

i wouldn't worry about ASEAN, if my predictions are correct Thailand will find some way to back out of all or most of the provisions.

I just cannot see them allowing other ASEAN members to work in certain fields that they will be allowed to do; restaurant workers, tour guides etc. I'm pretty certain it just won't happen.

In addition; Thailand will just blame somebody or something as to the cause and justify the lack of english and education with some ultra nationalist nonsense everyone will buy into.

Would love to be proved wrong; but not holding my breath

Something I read before and quoted as an OP on another post was that with AEC, the MInister in charge said" Yes they can come to be Doctors but first they must pass the Thai test. So what is the point of English in Thailand. Nationalism rules

I've heard the same thing. That's precisely how Thailand will de facto prevent any real ASEAN employment integration from threatening Thais. Thailand's elites and politicians are well aware of the fact that Thais are increasingly uncompetitive when compared with peers from other ASEAN countries. That, on some level, is the whole idea. The outflows of information from the Thai government are indicative of just how knowledgeable Thai elites want the public to be. To deal with this 2015 "integration" everyone keeps talking about, Thailand will impose it's own language requirements to prevent Singaporeans, Malaysians, Philippinos and others from sweeping in and taking jobs from Thais (in many fields, Thai wages will keep foreigners from wanting to work in Thailand anyways; the doctors at Bumrungrad are all foreign-educated Thais anyways, and what Singaporean is going to want to work at another hospital in the Kingdom?). ASEAN integration will really only benefit/affect the citizens of countries that are committed to it. ASEAN is a completely toothless, non-binding association. Members can agree to ASEAN-wide initiatives and then openly violate the terms of those initiatives without any fear of repurcussion. As a result, you can be 100% that Thailand will do exactly that. Ultimately, this will gradually isolate Thailand and diminish the country's influence and significance, regionally. Thailand is already increasingly fading into ASEAN's recesses in terms of regional importance, so this will be nothing new to the Kingdom's denizens. Their increasingly deliberate efforts to ignore these things and exploit fervent nationalism (bordering on jingoism) are all symptoms of their awareness of these developments. It as though, afraid of a new bout of neo-colonialism, they are preparing their people with burning nationalistic pride. That has always been Thailand's preferred method of (hopefully) keeping foreigners from exploiting their largely ignorant, impoverished masses.

Here's a relevant example:

- My Thai adult son speaks advanced English, so does his Thai wife. They studied together at Thai university.

- Recently a group of old uni. friends came to visit including one young lady who is quite disliked by most of the group. (Most of them speak or comprehend very little to zero English),

- Disliked lady suddenly announces, in Thai, that she's going to Singapore to work when AEC is implemented.

- My son says, in Thai, 'How can you work in Singapore you can't speak any English?'

- Her response 'Well it's not fair, Singapore people should be forced to learn Thai!'

- Another in the group says, 'well what people from Vietnam or Cambodia, should Singapore people be forced to also learn Vietnamese and Cambodian, etc?'

- Her response 'No, only Thai, or it's not fair!.

Whole group breaks into laughter.

Edited June 27, 2013 by scorecard

[AnotherOneAmerican]

To deal with this 2015 "integration" everyone keeps talking about, Thailand will impose it's own language requirements to prevent Singaporeans, Malaysians, Philippinos and others from sweeping in and taking jobs from Thais (in many fields, Thai wages will keep foreigners from wanting to work in Thailand anyways; the doctors at Bumrungrad are all foreign-educated Thais anyways, and what Singaporean is going to want to work at another hospital in the Kingdom?). ASEAN integration will really only benefit/affect the citizens of countries that are committed to it.

Entirely reasonable, to be allowed to work in a country, you should speak the countries primary language.

What's your countries second language?

Would you be happy to be treated by a doctor that only spoke that language?

I think not.

Edited June 27, 2013 by AnotherOneAmerican

[Unkomoncents]

To deal with this 2015 "integration" everyone keeps talking about, Thailand will impose it's own language requirements to prevent Singaporeans, Malaysians, Philippinos and others from sweeping in and taking jobs from Thais (in many fields, Thai wages will keep foreigners from wanting to work in Thailand anyways; the doctors at Bumrungrad are all foreign-educated Thais anyways, and what Singaporean is going to want to work at another hospital in the Kingdom?). ASEAN integration will really only benefit/affect the citizens of countries that are committed to it.

Entirely reasonable, to be allowed to work in a country, you should speak the countries primary language.

What's your countries second language?

Would you be happy to be treated by a doctor that only spoke that language?

I think not.

Right. That's makes a lot of sense. So you want to integrate the economies of a region to offer those economies a more competitive edge against large neighboring countries. You allow workers in certain trades work-permit-free regional access, but in order to actually come and work in any of the said countries, you requrie them to learn obscure, relatively worthless indigenous languages (to work in Cambodia, you MUST learn to Khmer, and in Vietnam, Vietnamese, Indonesia you learn Indonesian, and so forth)? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! Why not just keep the current work-permit requirements in place and give all foreigners the finger. That would be more effective for "integration".

You and I both know there is absolutely NOTHING reasonable about requiring people to learn Thai in order to work in the country. It would be one thing if, say, Thai were the language of business or were a language lots of other people spoke all around the world. It would be one thing if I were petitioning for Thai citizenship. But that's not the situation. And for the record, I would only be happy to be treated by a doctor who speaks English, whether in Thailand, China, Japan, Singapore, or Ethiopia. I can imagine a medical textbook translated from Thai: "Then cut tube big. Not tube big big. Not tube small small. Cut tube big." In English, "Be careful to make the incision in the vessel closest to the femoral artery but not..."

Edited June 27, 2013 by Unkomoncents

[Thai at Heart]

To deal with this 2015 "integration" everyone keeps talking about, Thailand will impose it's own language requirements to prevent Singaporeans, Malaysians, Philippinos and others from sweeping in and taking jobs from Thais (in many fields, Thai wages will keep foreigners from wanting to work in Thailand anyways; the doctors at Bumrungrad are all foreign-educated Thais anyways, and what Singaporean is going to want to work at another hospital in the Kingdom?). ASEAN integration will really only benefit/affect the citizens of countries that are committed to it.

Entirely reasonable, to be allowed to work in a country, you should speak the countries primary language.

What's your countries second language?

Would you be happy to be treated by a doctor that only spoke that language?

I think not.

Right. That's makes a lot of sense. So you want to integrate the economies of a region to offer those economies a more competitive edge against large neighboring countries. You allow workers in certain trades work-permit free regional access, but in order to actually come and work in any of the said countries, you requrie them to learn obscure, relatively worthless indigenous languages (to work in Cambodia, you MUST learn to Khmer, and in Vietnam, Vietnamese, Indonesia you learn Indonesian, and so forth)? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! Why not just keep the current work-permit requirements in place and give all foreigners the finger. That would be more effective for "integration".

Uncommonlysensible.

Let everyone one learn not just languages but alphabets to integrate. Absolutely nonsensical idea.

I think Gaelic or welsh should be the language of Europe since it's the oldest. Thai is about as relevant as welsh on the global stage.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[SADWING]

I've been teaching in Thailand for 3 years. One thing that really gets my goat is how no kid EVER fails. They all move along no matter how good or bad they do. I've seen the Thai assistants change grades just to compensate. There is no sense of shame provided for these kids. They just go on their merry way.

Only 5 out of 50 kids per class (maybe) are actually interested in learning anything.

[wilcopops]

Sadly this 'no fail" policy extends all the way up through to tertiary education - including medical schools.

BEWARE of doctors claiming ÛS training as they usually have just attended a few months as an observer because they are not allowed to practice in the States but many institutions earn extra cash by handing out certificates to foreign "doctors". You see this much less in Europe which is why most "doctors" claim to have studied in the States.In reality it seems most of them go to the States to improve their English medical vocab so they can tap into the lucrative medical tourism industry.

[Thai at Heart]

I've been teaching in Thailand for 3 years. One thing that really gets my goat is how no kid EVER fails. They all move along no matter how good or bad they do. I've seen the Thai assistants change grades just to compensate. There is no sense of shame provided for these kids. They just go on their merry way.

Only 5 out of 50 kids per class (maybe) are actually interested in learning anything.

And there you have the very nub of the problem. How can anyone aspire to excellence when they are just brilliant.

[Noistar]

I've been teaching in Thailand for 3 years. One thing that really gets my goat is how no kid EVER fails. They all move along no matter how good or bad they do. I've seen the Thai assistants change grades just to compensate. There is no sense of shame provided for these kids. They just go on their merry way.

Only 5 out of 50 kids per class (maybe) are actually interested in learning anything.

And there you have the very nub of the problem. How can anyone aspire to excellence when they are just brilliant.

You learn by failing, then understanding why you failed.

Is passing everybody intended to look good for the teacher and school, or is it a reflection of actual ability?

[Noistar]

Thai at heart

"So they are incapable of learning to reason in Thai?

Thai is constructed differently to English? So is French, but I never studied maths in French"

If you can't grasp the difference, either a) research learning and the impact of language and culture on it, ask your kids' teachers to explain, c) take your children out of that program if you still think its a waste of time.

They (I assume you refer to people in Thai only programs or learning English as a stand alone subject) will be capable of learning to reason in Thai and will then have to translate thought and logic constructs as well as words if studying text wriiten in English or trying to write Englsih. Those who learn to do this in Thai and English at an early age will have a good foudation and advantage if they want to study at higher level in English.

You can't reason on English until you've learnt English. I don't see an awful lot of point in forcing kids with very rudimentary English to study and be graded on their ability to do junior school mathematics or science in a second language.

Over a quarter my kids week is overtaken with duplicate lessons in two languages. They do not need to sit through having an unqualified English or science master teaching them science in English when only the day before, they sat through it in Thai.

A very good reason for learning other subjects in english includes the fact that many textbooks students use here are actually in english - I know of engineering, pharmacy and medicine that utilise english books (according to my graduate students). However, problems occur with younger kids when they have a weak grasp of the language. It's an uphill battle for them, and often the school will suggest to those parents to pull them out and focus on learning in Thai instead. Otherwise they end up deficient in maths/science as well.

Many of our upper level students also go to tutorial schools as they are concerned about Thai entrance exams. . They can pick up the relevant vocabulary there. Not sure why they would do that, as many end up going to International programs or overseas anyway who use their own entrance criteria - SAT's, IGCSE, etc.

Hence my concern about the doctor who speaks English 'nit noi'. Wonder how up-to-date he is with modern medical practice. Also wonder what the hell he was doing when he should have been learning English!

Actually I haven't met a doctor with rudimentary english here. Most speak quite well as the ones I've met are specialists and have spent time overseas. They are usually from well off families and thus had quite a bit of extra english language training as kids. Even with those with lower english speaking skills, their reading and comprehension is usually much better i contrast. That's been my experience anyway. I've also taught at least 6 students who have gotten into medical degrees and they speak english fine. English language skills have definitely improved among the middle class over the last decade or so; less so in communities who cannot afford / won't pay for foreign teachers.

The Dental Clinic is across the road from Central Airport Plaza, on the corner of the Soi to Noble Hotel. None of the receptionists or nurses speak English either.

[Noistar]

Everybody pre passes, and nobody cares... Business as usual

Thailand = apathy. Says it all I think.

Mai Ben drie

[Noistar]

PLEASE.

Somebody tell me what proportion of Uni students fail to join the lemming lines

[Unkomoncents]

I've been teaching in Thailand for 3 years. One thing that really gets my goat is how no kid EVER fails. They all move along no matter how good or bad they do. I've seen the Thai assistants change grades just to compensate. There is no sense of shame provided for these kids. They just go on their merry way.

Only 5 out of 50 kids per class (maybe) are actually interested in learning anything.

And there you have the very nub of the problem. How can anyone aspire to excellence when they are just brilliant.

You learn by failing, then understanding why you failed.

Is passing everybody intended to look good for the teacher and school, or is it a reflection of actual ability?

I often think that they do it out of spite. As if to say, "We do things our way". Regardless of all the benefits, they don't like the disrespect and winner-loser dynamic innate in Western Capitalism. So it's like they're saying, "In our society, no one fails. We have our own way." What's more important is the veneer of smiles and success. They work so hard to create this veneer without any awareness of the fact that their entire illusion they've created only fools themselves. Because they've never been colonized, Thais are truly able to operate without an awareness of other cultures. Their outlook is often so different. This is despite their relative openness to foreigners. Other countries that deify heads of State and exist almost in a third-dimension, relative to more commercially-oriented former colonial states, are North Korea and Bhutan. North Korea was, of course, a colony but now it's like an alien world. I went to North Korea for one day in 2008. Scariest experience of my life.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Unkomoncents

[iancnx]

I knew this would be a good thread.... Hope the Ed Min is watching all the good stuff written here.

From the OP

Quote//The minister further reveals that Thai students desperately need to improve their English language, especially the listening and speaking skills, in which Thai students are far behind those students in other ASEAN countries. The ministry will, therefore, bring in more English-speaking teachers to teach Thai kids.//

I am a 51 year old Brit and have taken early retirement, and live here on O type marriage extension. Previously I was an adult trainer (UK C&G), and have facilitated adult learning workshops globally for the last 20 years...., amongst other things. My listening and speaking skills are therefore pretty good.

There are a plethora of schools around me who are constantly badgering my wife to get me to go and help with English from prathom all the way up to vocational college. I have also been offered 30,000 per month with 'work permit no problem' attached!

There must be thousands of pretty well qualified expats like me more than happy to devote some volunteering time.

The Minister should look at this untapped wealth of skills, BUT should understand clearly:

1. The immigration laws forbids me to volunteer and I refuse to jeopardise my current visa status.

2. I neither need or want a Work Permit if it involves changing my right to remain here on marriage. I have jumped through the visa on marriage 'hoops' and see no incentive to get rucked about by immigration, embassies, and exit/entries, just for the permission to volunteer or be paid 30k.

In the last 18 months a huge amount of money has been thrown at last minute foreign teachers to come to Thailand to teach English whose mother tongue is not English. I have met many who get 20,000, or 25,000 of the 30,000 per month on offer. The balance goes to the agency. A complete waste of money and the kids learn absolutely nothing tangible, because the teachers cannot speak English!

Anyone who can pass this up to the powers that be in the Ministry please do! There is an untapped wealth of listening and speaking skill sat here doing nothing other than relaxing of course! I reckon I have 15 years of listening and speaking left in me.

[iancnx]

I hope they don't bring in more Filipinos or other low cost non-native English speakers and expect things to change.

That is exactly what they are doing in the provinces. Many Indians, Sri Lankan's, Africans, Filipino. Agents making a killing, schools hiring without an interview process. They get what they are told are available or go without.

Result = confused and despondent kids who cannot understand teacher.

[Noistar]

I hope they don't bring in more Filipinos or other low cost non-native English speakers and expect things to change.

That is exactly what they are doing in the provinces. Many Indians, Sri Lankan's, Africans, Filipino. Agents making a killing, schools hiring without an interview process. They get what they are told are available or go without.

Result = confused and despondent kids who cannot understand teacher.

I thought 'farang' were Westerners. Had high hopes when my daughter said her English teacher was 'farang', just to find out she was Filipino

[iancnx]

Off topic. Does anyone teach their own children at home as an alternative to state schools? Starting a new thread. Please follow.

[Thai at Heart]

Off topic. Does anyone teach their own children at home as an alternative to state schools? Starting a new thread. Please follow.

My neighbours do. And the kids are doing perfectly well.

[iancnx]

Off topic. Does anyone teach their own children at home as an alternative to state schools? Starting a new thread. Please follow.

My neighbours do. And the kids are doing perfectly well.

Thread is here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/649736-does-anyone-teach-their-own-children-at-home-as-an-alternative-to-state-schools/

[Thai at Heart]

I've been teaching in Thailand for 3 years. One thing that really gets my goat is how no kid EVER fails. They all move along no matter how good or bad they do. I've seen the Thai assistants change grades just to compensate. There is no sense of shame provided for these kids. They just go on their merry way.

Only 5 out of 50 kids per class (maybe) are actually interested in learning anything.

And there you have the very nub of the problem. How can anyone aspire to excellence when they are just brilliant.

You learn by failing, then understanding why you failed.

Is passing everybody intended to look good for the teacher and school, or is it a reflection of actual ability?

I often think that they do it out of spite. As if to say, "We do things our way". Regardless of all the benefits, they don't like the disrespect and winner-loser dynamic innate in Western Capitalism. So it's like they're saying, "In our society, no one fails. We have our own way." What's more important is the veneer of smiles and success. They work so hard to create this veneer without any awareness of the fact that their entire illusion they've created only fools themselves. Because they've never been colonized, Thais are truly able to operate without an awareness of other cultures. Their outlook is often so different. This is despite their relative openness to foreigners. Other countries that deify heads of State and exist almost in a third-dimension, relative to more commercially-oriented former colonial states, are North Korea and Bhutan. North Korea was, of course, a colony but now it's like an alien world. I went to North Korea for one day in 2008. Scariest experience of my life.

I really am starting to question whether Thai society is open to foreigners. On the surface, they love tourists, but in reality, I would say Thailand isn't that open. Visas are restricted, businesses are restricted, professions are restricted, even when it is a plain on the nose on your face, that to liberalise somethings could only be good for Thailand.

However, does it matter? The rules from our point of view are the rules, as stupid and restrictive as some of them appear to be, that's the way it is. I won't feel very sad, if in 10 years time, a Thai politician bemoans the fact that Thailand is getting its ass kicked economically in the region, because the problems will be entirely of their own making.

When it comes to business I find it quite funny that Thailand loves to talk about itself as a hub, but appears absolutely petrified of Asean, which of course should solidify its potential position as the "hub". Now the possibility is coming, they are running around in circles crying, we aren't ready to be a hub.

[Noistar]

My daughter reads English fairy tale books to me each evening (age 17 in M4!). Large printing, not too many words on a page but at least she enjoys reading them.

I ask her to summarise the story in Thai to her mother to ensure she's understood the story and not just read words. My wife tells me what she has said, in English, later.

Seems to work.

She chose her own book before but gave up before getting to the end of the first sentence. I thought she would give me a slap when I bought her the books, but they are at the right level. A sad reflection on her years at school though.

[Kilgore Trout]

My daughter reads English fairy tale books to me each evening (age 17 in M4!). Large printing, not too many words on a page but at least she enjoys reading them.

I ask her to summarise the story in Thai to her mother to ensure she's understood the story and not just read words. My wife tells me what she has said, in English, later.

Seems to work.

She chose her own book before but gave up before getting to the end of the first sentence. I thought she would give me a slap when I bought her the books, but they are at the right level. A sad reflection on her years at school though.

Your 17 year old daughter can't speak the language of her father like a native speaker? Is she your step daughter?

I don't know your situation but the greatest and easiest gift you can give your child is your mother tongue. All that is required is spending time and talking with them when they are young.

I can't imagine having a child who I couldn't communicate effectively with.

[paulmw]

Everybody pre passes, and nobody cares... Business as usual

Thailand = apathy. Says it all I think.

Mai Ben drie

Three words that screw Thailand.

[Noistar]

My daughter reads English fairy tale books to me each evening (age 17 in M4!). Large printing, not too many words on a page but at least she enjoys reading them.

I ask her to summarise the story in Thai to her mother to ensure she's understood the story and not just read words. My wife tells me what she has said, in English, later.

Seems to work.

She chose her own book before but gave up before getting to the end of the first sentence. I thought she would give me a slap when I bought her the books, but they are at the right level. A sad reflection on her years at school though.

Your 17 year old daughter can't speak the language of her father like a native speaker? Is she your step daughter?

I don't know your situation but the greatest and easiest gift you can give your child is your mother tongue. All that is required is spending time and talking with them when they are young.

I can't imagine having a child who I couldn't communicate effectively with.

As you have pointed out, she is my step-daughter. It's the habit you get into when you're all one family. Explaining families is very difficult with Thais. How many 'married' couples are actually married?

Communication is so important. I've lost count of the business courses I've attended where problems are summed up as 'poor communication'. Don't think Thailand's isolationist stance is doing them any favours. But as they spend all their time and effort looking to the past, do they even need to consider changing?

The past exists to be learnt from. Like my observation about learning in general. You will make mistakes, but they are there for a practical reason - to learn from so hopefully they have less chance of being repeated.

[Noistar]

Can anybody explain the obsession that schools have with expecting students to go to school, at the weekend, with a moments notice?

I've reined in cru yii - if the school don't give at least a week's written notice, it's no go.

Students need to wind down. Families are entitled to have quality time with their children.

Students are not robots, despite their name, number on their uniforms (2nd world, totalitarianism).

Saturday, was a school day. At 4.30 the M4 students were told you're coming into school tomorrow to visit the local temple. One student says "my parents have agreed with cru yii that if you don't give written notice at least a week in advance, I can't come". One teacher shown up in front of all the M4 students, one student spending quality time with her friends and family. Rotate on that.

[alanferdi]

"Phongthep" admits Thai education system unsatisfactory

At least it's a start...not the usual

or maybe he was paid to say it so that they can pump more money into the hole in the bucket system. If this is an analytical statement and he is implementing students to think deductively and question its teachers.... I then wish them well. simply get rid of the loose face system...thats all bungkam.... you either know it or you dont! Learning is a process based on rational and not on some ghost story. The Government should either encourage International schools to send their teachers into the Govt schools for a sabbatical and encourage qualified foreign teachers to do justice to a topic.... after all its not just teaching children to be quiet and stand in line....A countries knowledge and IQ grows with its demand to raise questions and have them answered.

[Noistar]

"Phongthep" admits Thai education system unsatisfactory

At least it's a start...not the usual

or maybe he was paid to say it so that they can pump more money into the hole in the bucket system. If this is an analytical statement and he is implementing students to think deductively and question its teachers.... I then wish them well. simply get rid of the loose face system...thats all bungkam.... you either know it or you dont! Learning is a process based on rational and not on some ghost story. The Government should either encourage International schools to send their teachers into the Govt schools for a sabbatical and encourage qualified foreign teachers to do justice to a topic.... after all its not just teaching children to be quiet and stand in line....A countries knowledge and IQ grows with its demand to raise questions and have them answered.

Spot on!

The question 'why?' would achieve so much if the the education system encouraged it.

Apart from the obvious benefit to the students, by giving some substance to the information being fed to them, it would also demand that teachers raise the bar of their own competence.

It goes without saying.......!

[Noistar]

Can anybody explain the obsession that schools have with expecting students to go to school, at the weekend, with a moments notice?

I've reined in cru yii - if the school don't give at least a week's written notice, it's no go.

Students need to wind down. Families are entitled to have quality time with their children.

Students are not robots, despite their name, number on their uniforms (2nd world, totalitarianism).

Saturday, was a school day. At 4.30 the M4 students were told you're coming into school tomorrow to visit the local temple. One student says "my parents have agreed with cru yii that if you don't give written notice at least a week in advance, I can't come". One teacher shown up in front of all the M4 students, one student spending quality time with her friends and family. Rotate on that.

Perhaps I could expand my question to ask why, when Thai culture is supposedly driven by the family, my step-daughter had 1 day at home out of a straight 19?

Perhaps it's sod the family. So disconcerting when all they're going to do is under-achieve, and their personal development is lost as well.

Schools churn out students for the Universities - cru yii stated that was the goal of the school. Nothing about the students actually achieving anything, just the ability to join the long line.

Seen the Pink Floyd 'another brick in the wall' video? - could rename it Thai education.

[Thai at Heart]

Can anybody explain the obsession that schools have with expecting students to go to school, at the weekend, with a moments notice?

I've reined in cru yii - if the school don't give at least a week's written notice, it's no go.

Students need to wind down. Families are entitled to have quality time with their children.

Students are not robots, despite their name, number on their uniforms (2nd world, totalitarianism).

Saturday, was a school day. At 4.30 the M4 students were told you're coming into school tomorrow to visit the local temple. One student says "my parents have agreed with cru yii that if you don't give written notice at least a week in advance, I can't come". One teacher shown up in front of all the M4 students, one student spending quality time with her friends and family. Rotate on that.

Perhaps I could expand my question to ask why, when Thai culture is supposedly driven by the family, my step-daughter had 1 day at home out of a straight 19?

Perhaps it's sod the family. So disconcerting when all they're going to do is under-achieve, and their personal development is lost as well.

Schools churn out students for the Universities - cru yii stated that was the goal of the school. Nothing about the students actually achieving anything, just the ability to join the long line.

Seen the Pink Floyd 'another brick in the wall' video? - could rename it Thai education.

When all else fails in Thailand, normally the answer is "profit".