EDITORIAL
Chaturon needs to turn words into action
The Nation October 6, 2013 1:00 am

The new education minister has strong ideas, but does he have the courage to make changes that will bring real improvements

In the three months since taking up his post, Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang has generated plenty of discussion with his ideas on how to improve the country's public school system.

From the sound of it, the man is determined to push for real and meaningful changes.

Chaturon wants reforms not only in teaching and learning, but would also like to invest in teacher development and in new ways of improving evaluation of teachers.

Unlike his predecessors at the Education Ministry, Chaturon is not hiding behind quick-fix gimmicks for quick political gains; he is addressing head-on the root cause of problems that have plagued the country's education system for decades.

The question now is, can he put all of these ideas into action. Having the courage to call a spade a spade is one thing. But does he have the political will and the energy to push for real change, which will mean making tough decisions likely to rub a lot of people up the wrong way?

Chaturon wants authorities to decide teachers' promotions according to their students' performance. Grades and promotions must be linked in order to make teachers more accountable for their students' academic progress.

However, while his talk of improving teacher evaluation via student performance is impressive, the question is whether he will have the courage to cut loose those teachers who do not meet their targets.

Like bureaucrats anywhere, many teachers hang onto their jobs and treat them as a free ride towards retirement. This comes as no surprise if you consider that they are underpaid by a government that doesn't give the profession the respect it deserves.

But if it is demonstrated that a teacher does not have what it takes to deliver the services demanded - in other words, if it is established that a teacher is not cut out to do the job - will the authorities have the courage to remove them?

For decades, our education system has burdened students with all sorts of tests and exams. Teachers, however, have never been placed under such scrutiny.

When students don't make the grade, it's easy to jump to the conclusion that they are the ones at fault. But if we start putting the spotlight on teachers, we should not be surprised to discover the problem could very well lie in the teachers themselves.

Chaturon has also spoken of opening up teaching to professionals from various fields. Indeed, professionals from whatever discipline should not be prohibited from entering the classroom just because they don't have a teaching licence.

Another issue he needs to examine is the central university admission system (CUAS). Since the system came into being, an increasing number of places have been allocated to students applying directly to universities via entrance exams. The likely result of this trend is inequality in educational opportunity, because students who can afford to take these entrance tests have an automatic advantage over their less privileged counterparts who can't afford the costs involved.

There is no easy way out of the education mess: careful planning and thinking are needed if we are to change the system for the better. Only time will tell if Chaturon has the political courage to push for these changes.

-- The Nation 2013-10-06

If you link teacher pay etc directly with student performance than what teachrrs would work in the schools who need them most? This would lead to increased inequality in education.

Sounds like he's trying to get a plane into the air which has no wings....will make a lot of noise going down the runway and then crash at the end. Hope he's got travel insurance.

When students don't make the grade, it's easy to jump to the conclusion that they are the ones at fault. But if we start putting the spotlight on teachers, we should not be surprised to discover the problem could very well lie in the teachers themselves.

The problem lies with the system itself, eductaion is meant to be an institution of socialisation. This is what happens when education is treated like a for profit industry and the outcomes are measured in quantity not quality. Then you end up with a population of farmers and factory fodder rule by a foriegn educated amart rather than a dynamic, creative and innovative society.

You need to put people in charge who have gone through the local system, are aware of what is avaliable on a internatial front and have family (children) who are in the acknowledged unsuccessful system. Give them a avenue to bring positive change at a local level, with funding from the almighty in Bangkok and let those who want, need a positive change make decisions, do you have a chance to upgrade the system, which is laughable.

Chaturon appears to have some good ideas. Whether he's ready and willing to really affect useful changes is questionable. Down deep, he's establishment, and for that reason, can't really rock the boat. What's needed is an rough and tumble outsider, who's not so concerned about being continually wai'ed and offered bouquets of flowers wherever he goes. Thailand needs a Jerry Brown (former and present Gov of California) type character - who not only speaks against the grain, but follows up with dynamic action.

"Chaturon wants authorities to decide teachers' promotions according to their students' performance. Grades and promotions must be linked in order to make teachers more accountable for their students' academic progress."

I don't agree with the above sentiment at all. Already, Thai students are sent on to higher levels, when they shouldn't be. With 'payment for students' performances' - that debilitating trend will be exacerbated. Under that proposal (stated in the quote, above), all a teacher has to do, to get promoted (and more money!), is give more A's to students.

He'll probably be moved when the cabinet is next reshuffled so all his ideas will be discarded and all will remain as before.

This is Thailand so expect the usual - words Yes, action NO.

Even if the minister produces logical, clearly needed reforms it's all stacked against him from within the system.

Wrong, the Thai Chinese regime of political propaganda parties are trying to put too many students into centralized schools all over Bangkok only Bangkok, which results in overcrowded classrooms with 100 or more students per classroom with only one teacher in there in the lack of wolves... And how can you expect everyone to pay attention???

Very honestly. Schools and colleges aren't for every child, unfortunately the idea of everyone brainwashed unto the same educational system forces the poor kids into rigorous travels day in day out for exams after exams and just for the sake if exams which can only be attended by taking pre pre pre exam after pre exams after pre pre pre pre pre exams only to take another one and another one after another one...

And you seriously don't think there's something wrong with the education system???