'Moral soundness' to be included in education reform: Thai politics

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
'Moral soundness' to be included in education reform
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) may not have said it out loud yet. But it is quite clear that educational reform is now embracing the idea of "moral soundness and virtues".

One of the very first things the NCPO did on the educational front, after all, was revive History and Civic Duty.

Despite cautions from quite a few educators, the NCPO has successfully pushed the Education Ministry to bring back these two subjects for the purpose of inculcating better attitudes and values among the young.

And the ministry has acted very quickly on this initiative. It has said History and Civic Duty will no longer be just part of Social Studies when the second semester of the 2014 academic year begins in November.

At present, it is unclear how History will change from three decades ago, when classes began with the loss of Ayutthaya to the former Burmese kingdom or Siam's conquest of areas in neighbouring countries. That doesn't quite match Thailand's plan to become a hub in the Asean Economic Community (AEC) era. It remains unanswered how Thai educators will consult with their peers in other Asean states on how history is taught there.

For Civic Duty, it also remains unclear if international standards will be applied - or the NCPO's standards. Internationally, the imposition of martial law is perceived as a move that deprives many of their basic rights. What will our students be told when it comes to the martial law recently imposed in Thailand?

Thailand's preparations in the next few months will cover a lot of things - including new textbooks, new teaching guidelines, new class-time allocation, teachers' training, and so on.

Like the NCPO, the Education Ministry expects the subjects of History and Civic Duty to promote patriotism, discipline, respect for others, a sense of duty, readiness to sacrifice and many more good values among all children.

Students from Prathom 1 to Mathayom 6 will have to study both subjects every week, starting from the second semester of this year.

To promote morality further, the Education Ministry is also working on a plan to turn boy/girl scouts into a mandatory requirement. Activities for boy/girl scouts are not just about recreation and survival skills. They have lots to do with ethics, discipline and mutual co-existence too.

This subject will be mandatory for students from Prathom 1 to at least Mathayom 3 levels.

The ministry even has hopes of introducing "Dhamma Study" to all schools. At present, this subject is only being taught in about 1,000 schools.

A public hearing on these plans is scheduled for July 19.

According to the ministry's permanent secretary Suthasri Wongsaman, the Sangha Supreme Council and the Culture Ministry will also help with this plan.

Suthasri emphasised that children should study this subject because the course's content will soften their hearts. "If they learn about Dhamma, they will have something to hold them back when temptations arise," she said.

The Education Ministry appears to have acted swiftly to try to fulfil these short-term goals, which the NCPO seriously hopes will boost ethical standards.

The ministry, at the same time, has also instructed its agencies to conduct and conclude studies on how to improve its organisational structure fast, as it will need to present a roadmap on educational reform to the NCPO social-psychology group next month.

The roadmap will address teachers' reform, decentralisation, management system reform, human resource production reform, learning reform and ICT system improvement.

This roadmap, if approved, is due for implementation between 2014 and 2021, and will affect millions of children.

In the eyes of many, the NCPO's decisiveness and the Education Ministry's serious efforts to respond to its goals may prove remarkable. But the problem is when urgency is involved, there is a risk of mistakes being made.

When information from all sides is not gathered or studied carefully, any initiative or roadmap introduced could be flawed and mean that these reforms don't do students and teachers as much good as they might if processed with less haste.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Moral-soundness-to-be-included-in-education-reform-30238509.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-15

[clockman]

Far more important subjects than these. That should be taught. Going backwards again.

[terryp]

its coming.... anyone in the adult entertainment business that promotes girls/boys/other are going to be in the frame very soon...morals are the opening of the door to a clamp down on prostitution etc

[siampolee]

This campaign will of course include those Thai soaps where ''might is right and money and violence rules''?

Edited July 15, 2014 by siampolee

[angsta]

AKA do what the rich and powerful tell you and know your place. How wonderful.

[siampolee]

Sadly angsta it is a shining example of ''Indoctrination as opposed to Education.''

[Hawk]

And still the education system will be seriously flawed, unfortunately millions will be affected by the mistakes.

[thesetat2013]

One would think that a student gains morals through peer and adult interaction. Without ethics and morals and values being openly displayed by all adults without prejudice then making them study it is worthless. Although in most school good behavior and bad are rewarded and punished accordingly their is no real incentive for students to achieve or try to do better in school. Failures dont happen. Lack of work or effort is instantly punished but nothing is done to promote them working harder next time. No goals are set. Only the vague threat of another smack on the hand or butt. So what will happen when schools try to have morals class? More than likely the students will view it as a joke. Being taught one thing and shown another is comical to a student.

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited July 15, 2014 by thesetat2013

[ChrisY1]

Seems they want kids to grow up to be mindless gorms!.....

Religion, civic pride, history, (Thai history only no doubt)..........this will move the country forward!

Edited July 15, 2014 by ChrisY1

[jimbob333]

You can't walk 1km without seen an erotic massage In Bangkok, if kids are growing up and seen this as normal then it's a waste of time,

Sent from my D6503 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[jaltsc]

"..Thailand's preparations in the next few months will cover a lot of things - including new textbooks, new teaching guidelines, new class-time allocation, teachers' training, and so on...Like the NCPO, the Education Ministry expects the subjects of History and Civic Duty to promote patriotism, discipline, respect for others, a sense of duty, readiness to sacrifice and many more good values among all children."

Won't have the desired results when the students see their adult role models continue the same behaviors and values which are ingrained in present Thai society.

[Pib]

Schools will now have time to teach moral soundness and virtues now that they don't have to worry about "will the tablet even turn on today."

[robblok]

Seems they want kids to grow up to be mindless gorms!.....

Religion, civic pride, history, (Thai history only no doubt)..........this will move the country forward!

This will create an army of worker drones. This is one of the crazy idea's of the Junta I dont support.

Seems some people are stuck in the past.

Just give them a good education and lead by example.

[AleG]

At present, it is unclear how History will change from three decades ago, when classes began with the loss of Ayutthaya to the former Burmese kingdom or Siam's conquest of areas in neighbouring countries. That doesn't quite match Thailand's plan to become a hub in the Asean Economic Community (AEC) era. It remains unanswered how Thai educators will consult with their peers in other Asean states on how history is taught there.

Crazy proposal: teach historical facts.

[robblok]

At present, it is unclear how History will change from three decades ago, when classes began with the loss of Ayutthaya to the former Burmese kingdom or Siam's conquest of areas in neighbouring countries. That doesn't quite match Thailand's plan to become a hub in the Asean Economic Community (AEC) era. It remains unanswered how Thai educators will consult with their peers in other Asean states on how history is taught there.

Crazy proposal: teach historical facts.

They never did that not even in the West. I was always taught the allied soldiers were good men and the Germans bad. Germans would be executing prisoners. Later I learned the allies did the same thing they were just as bad. Do you really think the Taliban had the monopoly on torture or would the USA do it too.

History will always be colored by those who wrote it its crazy to think we in the West are so much better. A bit maybe... but that is it.

[simon43]

Whilst teaching of subjects Moral Soundness and Civic Duty sounds rather like indoctrination, don't forget that it is the norm in many Western countries to teach Citizenship in schools. That subject is part of the UK/English National Curriculum.

I also taught Citizenship to primary age students in Myanmar, a difficult subject to teach, considering the ethnic and religious divisions in Myanmar. But Citizenship is all about being a good citizen (in the classroom, school, village, town, country and world).

Good morals and citizenship need not be 'indoctrination', if it is taught with due consideration and respect for others (in the classroom, school.......world etc).

[dave2]

re

its coming.... anyone in the adult entertainment business that promotes girls/boys/other are going to be in the frame very soon...morals are the opening of the door to a clamp down on prostitution etc

so would this mean the hundreds if not thousands of short time curtain hotels , massage places and most bars all over thailand would shut down because girls being friendly in there is illegal ?

so how are the boys , girls or others going to work / earn a living now ?

these people / the junta seem to be trying to do good things

but dont they think that as soon as they hand over power to

who ? in months or years

things will just revert back to the way they are now ?

if they do ... they have more faith than i have

dave2

[dcpo]

Of course, while the government schools are teaching the same confused hodge podge (now with extra nationalism), the children of the elites who push the reforms will be in international schools.

[Crazy chef 1]

may they were reading Aldous Huxley's "brave new world"?

[davehowden]

"To promote morality further, the Education Ministry is also working on a plan to turn boy/girl scouts into a mandatory requirement. Activities for boy/girl scouts are not just about recreation and survival skills. They have lots to do with ethics, discipline and mutual co-existence too."

Touch of the Hitler Youth Movement ?

[Thai Travel Bug]

It was a much different world when Thailand first started peddling its trade in "Light hearted cash for sex and a good night out" The war years exemplified the theory of live for today, as there may not be a tomorrow. The soldiers on R'N'R were full of smiles, laughs, and had a somewhat fun loving cheeky way about them. Women of the night had been a constant in every nation, Thailand included. It would seem that in Thailand, the client and the provider in many cases found love. The line had been crossed. Then when the news hit some of the poorest villages that not only were these soldiers good fun, and provided well, but they may even be husband material, there may be a way out of this life of poverty, well the flood gates opened. And why wouldn't they.

Education in the rural villages was sparse. These girls were born into poor families, with little hope of ever being able to escape the rice paddies. And these soldiers offered something more than they ever believed could be within their grasp. These girls in many cases thought there was a way out of this impoverished life that they were born into. Some relationships were formed. Thai and foreign marital relationships exploded. And in some cases, many of the girls of the night remained just that, Girls of the night. It became a gold rush. Girls from impoverished rural area's rushing to the city to find a rich foreign husband, often at the demand of their parents. It spread like a wildfire, a pandemic, a disease. Back then, it was indeed a different world. But times have changed.

Over the years, that original gold rush mentality turned into something more sinister. The pay for play turned dark. It wasn't with wide opened eyes and a good heart that these girls came to the cities looking for this foreigner. The status quo had changed. Men were coming to Thailand to predominantly indulge in sexual behaviour that was not freely available to them back home. Men came with the desire for warm balmy night, beaches, beer, and endless nights with a girl of their choosing. The girls were no longer really believing in so much as finding a husband. A real husband that is. The girls knew what they were doing, and took full advantage of the pay for play. And why wouldn't they. It became a lucrative game. Very lucrative in some cases.

But we are now in 2014. Before we know it we will be in 2020. It will happen in the blink of an eye. Thailand is a proud nation. Thailand is a land of beautiful people, who predominantly have good hearts, and a people that would rather do you a good turn than a bad turn. It is us that have caused it to be looked upon as the biggest open air brothel in the world. We have fed that monster of a reputation, and we continue to feed it. But Thailand does not want that reputation. Thailand has seen the errors of both it's way and our ways. It is then without surprise that those heading up the nation now with a true heart want to start kneading the moral fabric back into it's people. I believe that much is being orchestrated behind closed doors, by someone who should be listened to, and that the desire for a moral shift is now being heard. No longer does Thailand want to be seen by the world as that so called open air brothel.

The time has come where someone needs to pull on the brakes, and do that complete 180 degree turn on what has been happening within the country for decades. I believe that the time is upon us. The moral fabric of Thailand is set to change, and it will be through education both at home and in the schools that this will happen. Thailand is now, without doubt, in the mood to stand up and become what Thailand has always been. A proud nation of proud people. The children of this generation will be taught different moral values effecting both the individual and country as a whole. I believe that we are on the cusp of a paradigm shift. This will not happen overnight. It will take years of education, and implementing a change in moral values, but it will happen, and with the leader we have now, and with his motivation, and I dare say with a little help from a higher being, the Thailand of yesterday will change into the Thailand of tomorrow. A beautiful country, with a proud and beautiful people. And then we shall be truly privileged to be allowed to visit from time to time, as tourists seeking a view of a beautiful country that inspires us. That lifts us.

Think it cant be done????? Watch this space.

[englishoak]

One of the very first things the NCPO did on the educational front, after all, was revive History and Civic Duty.

History ? is that a joke ?

[robblok]

It was a much different world when Thailand first started peddling its trade in "Light hearted cash for sex and a good night out" The war years exemplified the theory of live for today, as there may not be a tomorrow. The soldiers on R'N'R were full of smiles, laughs, and had a somewhat fun loving cheeky way about them. Women of the night had been a constant in every nation, Thailand included. It would seem that in Thailand, the client and the provider in many cases found love. The line had been crossed. Then when the news hit some of the poorest villages that not only were these soldiers good fun, and provided well, but they may even be husband material, there may be a way out of this life of poverty, well the flood gates opened. And why wouldn't they.

Education in the rural villages was sparse. These girls were born into poor families, with little hope of ever being able to escape the rice paddies. And these soldiers offered something more than they ever believed could be within their grasp. These girls in many cases thought there was a way out of this impoverished life that they were born into. Some relationships were formed. Thai and foreign marital relationships exploded. And in some cases, many of the girls of the night remained just that, Girls of the night. It became a gold rush. Girls from impoverished rural area's rushing to the city to find a rich foreign husband, often at the demand of their parents. It spread like a wildfire, a pandemic, a disease. Back then, it was indeed a different world. But times have changed.

Over the years, that original gold rush mentality turned into something more sinister. The pay for play turned dark. It wasn't with wide opened eyes and a good heart that these girls came to the cities looking for this foreigner. The status quo had changed. Men were coming to Thailand to predominantly indulge in sexual behaviour that was not freely available to them back home. Men came with the desire for warm balmy night, beaches, beer, and endless nights with a girl of their choosing. The girls were no longer really believing in so much as finding a husband. A real husband that is. The girls knew what they were doing, and took full advantage of the pay for play. And why wouldn't they. It became a lucrative game. Very lucrative in some cases.

But we are now in 2014. Before we know it we will be in 2020. It will happen in the blink of an eye. Thailand is a proud nation. Thailand is a land of beautiful people, who predominantly have good hearts, and a people that would rather do you a good turn than a bad turn. It is us that have caused it to be looked upon as the biggest open air brothel in the world. We have fed that monster of a reputation, and we continue to feed it. But Thailand does not want that reputation. Thailand has seen the errors of both it's way and our ways. It is then without surprise that those heading up the nation now with a true heart want to start kneading the moral fabric back into it's people. I believe that much is being orchestrated behind closed doors, by someone who should be listened to, and that the desire for a moral shift is now being heard. No longer does Thailand want to be seen by the world as that so called open air brothel.

The time has come where someone needs to pull on the brakes, and do that complete 180 degree turn on what has been happening within the country for decades. I believe that the time is upon us. The moral fabric of Thailand is set to change, and it will be through education both at home and in the schools that this will happen. Thailand is now, without doubt, in the mood to stand up and become what Thailand has always been. A proud nation of proud people. The children of this generation will be taught different moral values effecting both the individual and country as a whole. I believe that we are on the cusp of a paradigm shift. This will not happen overnight. It will take years of education, and implementing a change in moral values, but it will happen, and with the leader we have now, and with his motivation, and I dare say with a little help from a higher being, the Thailand of yesterday will change into the Thailand of tomorrow. A beautiful country, with a proud and beautiful people. And then we shall be truly privileged to be allowed to visit from time to time, as tourists seeking a view of a beautiful country that inspires us. That lifts us.

Think it cant be done????? Watch this space.

I guess your a tourist never really lived here ?

Most of the prostitution is aimed at Thai males not foreigners. There are so many karaoke and massage houses aimed at Thais that it dwarfs the stuff you see in the tourist area's. But good luck believing it was all our mistake.

[englishoak]

It was a much different world when Thailand first started peddling its trade in "Light hearted cash for sex and a good night out" The war years exemplified the theory of live for today, as there may not be a tomorrow. The soldiers on R'N'R were full of smiles, laughs, and had a somewhat fun loving cheeky way about them. Women of the night had been a constant in every nation, Thailand included. It would seem that in Thailand, the client and the provider in many cases found love. The line had been crossed. Then when the news hit some of the poorest villages that not only were these soldiers good fun, and provided well, but they may even be husband material, there may be a way out of this life of poverty, well the flood gates opened. And why wouldn't they.

Education in the rural villages was sparse. These girls were born into poor families, with little hope of ever being able to escape the rice paddies. And these soldiers offered something more than they ever believed could be within their grasp. These girls in many cases thought there was a way out of this impoverished life that they were born into. Some relationships were formed. Thai and foreign marital relationships exploded. And in some cases, many of the girls of the night remained just that, Girls of the night. It became a gold rush. Girls from impoverished rural area's rushing to the city to find a rich foreign husband, often at the demand of their parents. It spread like a wildfire, a pandemic, a disease. Back then, it was indeed a different world. But times have changed.

Over the years, that original gold rush mentality turned into something more sinister. The pay for play turned dark. It wasn't with wide opened eyes and a good heart that these girls came to the cities looking for this foreigner. The status quo had changed. Men were coming to Thailand to predominantly indulge in sexual behaviour that was not freely available to them back home. Men came with the desire for warm balmy night, beaches, beer, and endless nights with a girl of their choosing. The girls were no longer really believing in so much as finding a husband. A real husband that is. The girls knew what they were doing, and took full advantage of the pay for play. And why wouldn't they. It became a lucrative game. Very lucrative in some cases.

But we are now in 2014. Before we know it we will be in 2020. It will happen in the blink of an eye. Thailand is a proud nation. Thailand is a land of beautiful people, who predominantly have good hearts, and a people that would rather do you a good turn than a bad turn. It is us that have caused it to be looked upon as the biggest open air brothel in the world. We have fed that monster of a reputation, and we continue to feed it. But Thailand does not want that reputation. Thailand has seen the errors of both it's way and our ways. It is then without surprise that those heading up the nation now with a true heart want to start kneading the moral fabric back into it's people. I believe that much is being orchestrated behind closed doors, by someone who should be listened to, and that the desire for a moral shift is now being heard. No longer does Thailand want to be seen by the world as that so called open air brothel.

The time has come where someone needs to pull on the brakes, and do that complete 180 degree turn on what has been happening within the country for decades. I believe that the time is upon us. The moral fabric of Thailand is set to change, and it will be through education both at home and in the schools that this will happen. Thailand is now, without doubt, in the mood to stand up and become what Thailand has always been. A proud nation of proud people. The children of this generation will be taught different moral values effecting both the individual and country as a whole. I believe that we are on the cusp of a paradigm shift. This will not happen overnight. It will take years of education, and implementing a change in moral values, but it will happen, and with the leader we have now, and with his motivation, and I dare say with a little help from a higher being, the Thailand of yesterday will change into the Thailand of tomorrow. A beautiful country, with a proud and beautiful people. And then we shall be truly privileged to be allowed to visit from time to time, as tourists seeking a view of a beautiful country that inspires us. That lifts us.

Think it cant be done????? Watch this space.

Rubbish, it may have started as RNR but the vast majority of brothels and pay to bang and all manner of prostitution is by thai for thai clientèle and has been for decades,

The tourism part is a tiny % of it even if very lucrative. Go to any country town of any medium size, border or along highways and stop overs the places are in abundance. Mai nois all part of the culture as are short time stopover hotels.. none of this is farang based.

There wont be any crackdown on prostitution other than token.Seen and heard it all before it wont be different this time either.

Indeed watch this space.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

They should stick to do what they are paid for, defending the country. What's next, all our kids have to wear Mao uniforms?

[BirdsandBooze]

It would be a good idea to include World history in the curriculum to give students a realistic view rather than a contrived version of Thailand's status among the countries of the world. Patriotism is also good - as an alternative to xenophobic nationalism.

[EnzoRippo]

Smells like a dangerous indoctrination.

Dangerous because if it's well done and if it succeeds, it will be one more time "Siam Ûber Alles", xenophobia and despises to the neighbors.

Dangerous because if it's NOT well done (and it's likely the case due to the teachers abilities), it will create a BIG gap between the adults - soldiers and the youth - Thailand of tomorrow who will not believe / follow a single word of all this BS and who will survive without any value (only Facebook and selfies).

[chainarong]

Moral soundness would be more apptopiate being taught to the persons that run the country , look at the past performance , if anyone needs morals teaching is Thaskin Shinawatra and he's cronies, but that's only the tip of the morals iceberg, moral education comes from within the family unit and while Thailand morals are in free fall, it wont matter how much the education system try's to right the ship, because moral behaviour is Mum and Dad's job not big brothers.

[Thai Travel Bug]

It was a much different world when Thailand first started peddling its trade in "Light hearted cash for sex and a good night out" The war years exemplified the theory of live for today, as there may not be a tomorrow. The soldiers on R'N'R were full of smiles, laughs, and had a somewhat fun loving cheeky way about them. Women of the night had been a constant in every nation, Thailand included. It would seem that in Thailand, the client and the provider in many cases found love. The line had been crossed. Then when the news hit some of the poorest villages that not only were these soldiers good fun, and provided well, but they may even be husband material, there may be a way out of this life of poverty, well the flood gates opened. And why wouldn't they.

Education in the rural villages was sparse. These girls were born into poor families, with little hope of ever being able to escape the rice paddies. And these soldiers offered something more than they ever believed could be within their grasp. These girls in many cases thought there was a way out of this impoverished life that they were born into. Some relationships were formed. Thai and foreign marital relationships exploded. And in some cases, many of the girls of the night remained just that, Girls of the night. It became a gold rush. Girls from impoverished rural area's rushing to the city to find a rich foreign husband, often at the demand of their parents. It spread like a wildfire, a pandemic, a disease. Back then, it was indeed a different world. But times have changed.

Over the years, that original gold rush mentality turned into something more sinister. The pay for play turned dark. It wasn't with wide opened eyes and a good heart that these girls came to the cities looking for this foreigner. The status quo had changed. Men were coming to Thailand to predominantly indulge in sexual behaviour that was not freely available to them back home. Men came with the desire for warm balmy night, beaches, beer, and endless nights with a girl of their choosing. The girls were no longer really believing in so much as finding a husband. A real husband that is. The girls knew what they were doing, and took full advantage of the pay for play. And why wouldn't they. It became a lucrative game. Very lucrative in some cases.

But we are now in 2014. Before we know it we will be in 2020. It will happen in the blink of an eye. Thailand is a proud nation. Thailand is a land of beautiful people, who predominantly have good hearts, and a people that would rather do you a good turn than a bad turn. It is us that have caused it to be looked upon as the biggest open air brothel in the world. We have fed that monster of a reputation, and we continue to feed it. But Thailand does not want that reputation. Thailand has seen the errors of both it's way and our ways. It is then without surprise that those heading up the nation now with a true heart want to start kneading the moral fabric back into it's people. I believe that much is being orchestrated behind closed doors, by someone who should be listened to, and that the desire for a moral shift is now being heard. No longer does Thailand want to be seen by the world as that so called open air brothel.

The time has come where someone needs to pull on the brakes, and do that complete 180 degree turn on what has been happening within the country for decades. I believe that the time is upon us. The moral fabric of Thailand is set to change, and it will be through education both at home and in the schools that this will happen. Thailand is now, without doubt, in the mood to stand up and become what Thailand has always been. A proud nation of proud people. The children of this generation will be taught different moral values effecting both the individual and country as a whole. I believe that we are on the cusp of a paradigm shift. This will not happen overnight. It will take years of education, and implementing a change in moral values, but it will happen, and with the leader we have now, and with his motivation, and I dare say with a little help from a higher being, the Thailand of yesterday will change into the Thailand of tomorrow. A beautiful country, with a proud and beautiful people. And then we shall be truly privileged to be allowed to visit from time to time, as tourists seeking a view of a beautiful country that inspires us. That lifts us.

Think it cant be done????? Watch this space.

I guess your a tourist never really lived here ?

Most of the prostitution is aimed at Thai males not foreigners. There are so many karaoke and massage houses aimed at Thais that it dwarfs the stuff you see in the tourist area's. But good luck believing it was all our mistake.

Well yes, I have lived in Thailand, and if you really believe that we have not fuelled this into what the rest of the world now view as a sex trade destination for sex tourists, you had better take your "Righteous" glasses off and have a good walk around most of the tourists destinations imbibed with the flaunting of pay for play. If the game had of been confined to the Thai's alone, then the world would view it differently. Its well hidden away from most of the world who arrive as tourists compared to the way we inflamed the game with neon signs and chrome poles.

[graemeaylward]

Will moral teaching and good citizenship include obeying the law, and road safety? Hundreds of children drive motor cycles under age, without licences or insurance, all of which are illegal, as is not wearing a crash helmet. Teachers are also guilty of not wearing helmets, so are they the right people to teach good citizenship or morals, when they break the law daily?

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