New Education Minister says Thai education system needs urgent revamp

[Lite Beer]

New Education Minister says Thai education system needs urgent revamp

BANGKOK, 2 July 2013 (NNT) – The newly-appointed Education Minister has said the Thai education system needs a major revamp to enable Thai kids to compete with children in other countries as Asean Community is approaching in less than 3 years’ time.

According to Mr Chaturon Chaisang, the newly appointed Education Minister, Thailand needs to revamp its education system to bring it on par with international standard. He said former Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana had handed over to him the policies and guidelines for the country’s new education system.

He said those were good policies and he needed some time to go over them. He also affirmed that the ministry would adhere to its stance and policies even with a new leader, adding that everything would be the same as it was when Mr Phongthep was in office.

The new minister further revealed that he would hold talks with other executives regarding the ministry’s future plan and expected the result to be unveiled within this week.

Finally, he promised to work hard and vowed to eliminate corruption in his ministry, saying he would take serious legal actions against corrupt officials for the sake of the people and the country.

-- NNT 2013-07-02

[tomross46]

Mr Chaturon Chaisang, was education minister during the Thaksin administration and a ranking member of the TRT party. I hope he continues the work he started.

[OzMick]

If they weren't continually changing education ministers, they wouldn't have to wait for the new minister to work out where the problems are. Of course, when he does there will be no funds available because they have all been flushed down the rice hole.

[David48]

"He said those were good policies and he needed some time to go over them."

So he's affirmed as good before reading them ...

We know that the political system is a joke but ... <deleted> sake, don't mess it up for the kids ... any more then you already have.

.

[Katipo]

"New Education Minister says Thai education system needs urgent revamp"

Doesn't every new Education Minister say that when they assume the role? And so what's been revamped lately?

Edited July 2, 2013 by Scott
font

[NongKhaiKid]

Education, corruption and everything else is just the Four Tops singing " it's the Same Old Song ".

We will believe when the BS stops and the action begins.

[chainarong]

I seem to remember that this was a topic in April , just talk no action, the Thai regurgitating syndrome, keeps repeating itself.

[Pib]

Nobody needs to get excited....what the new Education Minister said is from the script handled down from the outgoing minister to the incoming minister. The handling off of the script is highly traditional. What the new guy said is covered in the chapter titled, What to Say During Week One in the Job. Some have referred to the script as Education for Dummies. And it's such a shame as Thai kids as a whole could be as bright and innovative as kids in other countries if the education system only challenged their potential.

[Lingba]

Urgent Revamping???......thats an understatement...It needs a complete enema

[ballpoint]

Urgent Revamping???......thats an understatement...It needs a complete enema

No, a simple tablet will cure it.

[culicine]

I'm sure the new Minister knows how bad the education system is here - he did his Bachelor and masters overseas:) That says a lot in itself....

[Robby nz]

He would be more believable if he hadn't tacked the 'stopping corruption' bit on the end.

Why was he kicked out of politics for 5 years?

I hope he does start to do something but there is no instant fix.

A lot of teacher retraining to be done and the whole mindset of the kids has to change and I doubt that will come about this generation.

Rather than the assistant teachers being taught by the existing teachers there needs to be teachers training collages set up to give the incoming teachers a whole fresh approach.

There must also be courses for existing teachers to bring them up to speed with the 'new way' of teaching.

Nothing will change until the teachers are taught.

Then and only then can they start to change the kids way of thinking or not thinking as the case may be.

[Gsxrnz]

Meanwhile on the Titanic, the stewards are anxiously rearranging the deckchairs...........

[jaltsc]

"BANGKOK, 2 July 2013 (NNT) – The newly-appointed Education Minister has said the Thai education system needs a major revamp to enable Thai kids to compete with children in other countries "

I believe he stole this quote from a speech given by the Thai Education Minster on 2 July1813.

Edited July 2, 2013 by jaltsc

[LuckyLew]

More lip service from the PTP

IMO they want the majority of Thais to remain less than educate,

as it is the only way they can get elected, an uneducated public

is an easy one to buy for 500 THB a vote

[hellodolly]

"He said those were good policies and he needed some time to go over them."

So he's affirmed as good before reading them ...

We know that the political system is a joke but ... <deleted> sake, don't mess it up for the kids ... any more then you already have.

.

Because he needs time to go over them does not mean he dosen't have the general idea.

Like the ten commandments do you have to study them to know they are a good idea.

I give him credit for agreeing that they are a good policy.

Now if he will follow through with them or be allowed to that is another question.

[hellodolly]

He would be more believable if he hadn't tacked the 'stopping corruption' bit on the end.

Why was he kicked out of politics for 5 years?

I hope he does start to do something but there is no instant fix.

A lot of teacher retraining to be done and the whole mindset of the kids has to change and I doubt that will come about this generation.

Rather than the assistant teachers being taught by the existing teachers there needs to be teachers training collages set up to give the incoming teachers a whole fresh approach.

There must also be courses for existing teachers to bring them up to speed with the 'new way' of teaching.

Nothing will change until the teachers are taught.

Then and only then can they start to change the kids way of thinking or not thinking as the case may be.

It is going to be a long process. As you say the teachers must first learn how to teach. The problem being who is going to teach them. They are all products of academia. For sure out side help will be needed, It should be such a high priority on the to do list that work Visas will be one year with no 90 day reporting or any other stupid regulation. Just do the job.

These kids are the future of Thailand and need direction. It is part of the parents responsibility but not that much as the parents never learned them selves.

Teachers must learn to teach and step up to the responsibility. Adequate pay would be a big help.

I am not advocating spending lots of time on teaching English. I just bring this up as an example.

I have a friend who has a masters in English. She took the mandatory course to teach English in Thailand. She told me it was one of the hardest things she had ever done. A big difference between knowing some thing and being able to pass it on.

[Robby nz]

These kids are the future of Thailand and need direction. It is part of the parents responsibility but not that much as the parents never learned them selves.

A big problem with that Hellodolly is that many (probably most) parents haven't got either the education, time or inclination to help teach the kids, or in some cases a combination of all 3.

As you say many never learnt themselves and the ones that did are a product of the education system that needs to change.

It will need a very strong minister to implement the needed changes.

We wait to see if this latest one has what is needed.

[mrtoad]

Nothing new hear, nothing to see or will happen - in this Parlimnets lifetime. Same old announcements, same old BS - if the Proles were educated then these idiots would be in for some serious heat in the coming years.

[pisico]

These kids are the future of Thailand and need direction. It is part of the parents responsibility but not that much as the parents never learned them selves.

A big problem with that Hellodolly is that many (probably most) parents haven't got either the education, time or inclination to help teach the kids, or in some cases a combination of all 3.

As you say many never learnt themselves and the ones that did are a product of the education system that needs to change.

It will need a very strong minister to implement the needed changes.

We wait to see if this latest one has what is needed.

Changes are not in the Thai DNA. Thais are self absorbed in their Thainess. Tradition and their sense of respect for seniority are hurdles in their path that they are not willing to clear. Thais are copiers, repeaters and followers. They are not enterprising in the modern sense of the word. Thai teachers (I know a few) complain about the gags placed on them by their superiors. No teacher in Thailand can deviate from the "official" truth or the text in the books. Not even history is taught according to facts. The vast majority of Thais proudly boast of being the only country in SE Asia that has never been invaded. When I remind them of the Japanese occupation of nearly 2 years they go into shock. They ask questions as how and when it happened as if it was the first time they heard about that historical fact. On the intersection Sam yeak fai chai (Charansanitwong and Pran Nhok, there is a post with a plaque in Thai and English: "...here is where the city had the big searchlights to alert the citizenry when the ally forces were bombing Bangkok..." They conveniently forgot to mention that Thailand had declared war to the UK and USA and were allowing the Japanese to run Khanchanaburi hard labor camp and other areas inside and around Bangkok, to name a few. The plaque is there for all to see. How many Thais bother to read or research the subject?

I am ready to be flamed by the usual Thai apologists but, these are quoted historical facts. Sorry if I hurt your sensibilities.

Edited July 2, 2013 by pisico

[Lobo4819]

"He said those were good policies and he needed some time to go over them."

So he's affirmed as good before reading them ...

We know that the political system is a joke but ... <deleted> sake, don't mess it up for the kids ... any more then you already have.

.

Because he needs time to go over them does not mean he dosen't have the general idea.

Like the ten commandments do you have to study them to know they are a good idea.

I give him credit for agreeing that they are a good policy.

Now if he will follow through with them or be allowed to that is another question.

What did you say? And did you understand it?

[kurnell]

Educated Thais mean educated an public that don't fall for the bullshit that corrupt politicians spout every day = no change to the education system. Ever.

[mrtoad]

Educated Thais mean educated an public that don't fall for the bullshit that corrupt politicians spout every day = no change to the education system. Ever.

Agreed

[lemonjelly]

Building more classrooms/schools in areas where classrooms oftren have around 45-50 students crammed into them would be a good start.

Edited July 2, 2013 by lemonjelly

[EyesWideOpen]

Educated Thais mean educated an public that don't fall for the bullshit that corrupt politicians spout every day = no change to the education system. Ever.

You are sadly, exactly correct. Must be a bit of a dilemma for the ruling politicians. If the public education continues at its abysmal level, Thailand will continue to fall behind its ASEAN partners, and become a regional joke. This would be a major loss of face at country wide level. If on the other hand the students receive a quality education, teaching them the process of critical thinking, that would not bode well for the ability of the future incarnation of PTP to buy votes and easily control the masses. Ahhhhhh decisions decisions.....

Edited July 2, 2013 by EyesWideOpen

[noitom]

They keep repeating this need for urgent change, then they do nothing until they get "shuffled about" and then the new one repeats the cycle again. Reviews, states that change is needed, promises, and shuffles out. These Thais, boy oh boy they are something else.

[Robby nz]

Robby nz, on 02 Jul 2013 - 18:28, said:

Quote

These kids are the future of Thailand and need direction. It is part of the parents responsibility but not that much as the parents never learned them selves.

A big problem with that Hellodolly is that many (probably most) parents haven't got either the education, time or inclination to help teach the kids, or in some cases a combination of all 3.

As you say many never learnt themselves and the ones that did are a product of the education system that needs to change.

It will need a very strong minister to implement the needed changes.

We wait to see if this latest one has what is needed.

Changes are not in the Thai DNA. Thais are self absorbed in their Thainess. Tradition and their sense of respect for seniority are hurdles in their path that they are not willing to clear. Thais are copiers, repeaters and followers. They are not enterprising in the modern sense of the word. Thai teachers (I know a few) complain about the gags placed on them by their superiors. No teacher in Thailand can deviate from the "official" truth or the text in the books. Not even history is taught according to facts. The vast majority of Thais proudly boast of being the only country in SE Asia that has never been invaded. When I remind them of the Japanese occupation of nearly 2 years they go into shock. They ask questions as how and when it happened as if it was the first time they heard about that historical fact. On the intersection Sam yeak fai chai (Charansanitwong and Pran Nhok, there is a post with a plaque in Thai and English: "...here is where the city had the big searchlights to alert the citizenry when the ally forces were bombing Bangkok..." They conveniently forgot to mention that Thailand had declared war to the UK and USA and were allowing the Japanese to run Khanchanaburi hard labor camp and other areas inside and around Bangkok, to name a few. The plaque is there for all to see. How many Thais bother to read or research the subject?

I am ready to be flamed by the usual Thai apologists but, these are quoted historical facts. Sorry if I hurt your sensibilities.

You have contradicted yourself right there as that statement is obvious proof that there are teachers who know things need changing and care enough to try.

And no, all Thais are not the same any more than all people from any other country are the same.

I hope this new minister is one of the ones who will make the needed changes for he is in a position to do it.

However I somehow doubt it as he has been in the position of education minister before and had the opportunity then to make changes

[Issangeorge]

Building more classrooms/schools in areas where classrooms oftren have around 45-50 students crammed into them would be a good start.

Yes, yes, and yes. This is the fourth Education Minister in less than two years and not one has addressed the main problem of Thai education. There are too many students in a class room. I don't care how good the teacher is, it is impossible to teach 45 to 55 students in a classroom designed for 30. If you get the class sizes down to less than 30, you may be amazed at how good some of the teachers are. Number two let the kids who deserve it fail.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[MaxLee]

New Education Minister says Thai education system needs urgent revamp

BANGKOK, 2 July 2013 (NNT) – The newly-appointed Education Minister has said the Thai education system needs a major revamp to enable Thai kids to compete with children in other countries as Asean Community is approaching in less than 3 years’ time.

According to Mr Chaturon Chaisang, the newly appointed Education Minister, Thailand needs to revamp its education system to bring it on par with international standard. He said former Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana had handed over to him the policies and guidelines for the country’s new education system.

He said those were good policies and he needed some time to go over them. He also affirmed that the ministry would adhere to its stance and policies even with a new leader, adding that everything would be the same as it was when Mr Phongthep was in office.

The new minister further revealed that he would hold talks with other executives regarding the ministry’s future plan and expected the result to be unveiled within this week.

Finally, he promised to work hard and vowed to eliminate corruption in his ministry, saying he would take serious legal actions against corrupt officials for the sake of the people and the country.

Every, day, every year, every decade, every century,... we hear the same CRRRRRRRAP and it only gets worst,...

NEW policies:

- more populist policies looking promising on the surface, with even more corruption going on behind the scenes

- more bureaucracy and more pre-pre-pre-pre-pre-exams that will frustrate the hell out of students, to get accepted into university level, with the REAL purpose to prevent the poor from gaining education

- more cheating and abusage of innocent students

- harder exam procedures and harder rote learning to increase the brainwashing until the point of no return

- increasing costs for education utilities

- longer school and university hours with increased homework-load that will blow and frustrate the students' mind away

- 100-200 plus students per classroom, because more schools are getting merged, because, the ministry decides to take education opportunities away from the SCUM provinces, for the sake of promoting Bangkok ONLY BANGKOK as hub for education

- With Bangkok ONLY BANGKOK as the future hub of advanced Education brainwashing students, students and families are forced to flock to Bangkok just for their misguided hopes for a better education, that will cause worst traffic jam, air pollution and more stress and greng jai peer pressure thanever

- more bureacracy in VISA requirements and USELESS pretests for clueless Farang that will rip the money OFF from them

- vocational students get more frustrated and jealous and will revolt in violence as usual, because vocational activities is a loss of face

- Science, Engineering or Environmental studies won't get any much attention, because that is considered "dirty work" and puts a bad reputation for the sake of FACE

- with the increase of mass producing so called graduates, Thailand will create a workforce that is nowhere near ready to face the real world, and who end up unemployed...

And the bottomline is,...

- rich, powerful and influential feudal family clans are free of charge of cheating, corruption and social behavior ethics; they can do what they want and not get punished for it

so nothing will ever change

[iancnx]

These kids are the future of Thailand and need direction. It is part of the parents responsibility but not that much as the parents never learned them selves.

A big problem with that Hellodolly is that many (probably most) parents haven't got either the education, time or inclination to help teach the kids, or in some cases a combination of all 3.

As you say many never learnt themselves and the ones that did are a product of the education system that needs to change.

It will need a very strong minister to implement the needed changes.

We wait to see if this latest one has what is needed.

It will take an incredibly strong minister to implement even 10% change in the current political climate. Sad news for Thailand, but as has been said..... Nothing new here.