Caution urged on Thai PM's education vision

[webfact]

Caution urged on PM's education vision
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation


Students learn how to make effective microorganism balls (EM balls) at the Poolcharoenwittayakhom School in Samut Prakan province as a part of an integrated class. While the activity focuses on science, their teacher includes an element of history

Senior teacher says an integrated approach is best

BANGKOK: -- A SENIOR TEACHER fears the teaching approach to Social Studies classes could go back to where it was more than three decades ago.

"Just like some 30 years back, students will be studying history and civic duty as separate subjects," Panna Saengnapapen said.

She was speaking in response to the Education Ministry's latest move to ensure that the National Council for Peace and Order chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is now also the prime minister, achieves what he would like to see in the educational front. According to Prayuth, Thai children should learn more about history and civic duty.

At 58, Panna said she had seen various teaching methods introduced by the ministry. The current one focuses on the integration of content across many subjects put under the social studies, which covers history, geography, civic duty and more.

In Prayuth's opinion, when history and civic duty are not taught as separate subjects, many children fail to recognise their importance.

The ministry has quickly responded to Prayuth's wishes. Starting from the second semester of this year, students from Prathom 1 up to Mathayom 6 will have specific history and civic duty classes.

Organised by the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec), a total of 1,206 master teachers will receive training programmes for the teaching of these two subjects this month and next month. The participants are expected to share their knowledge with other teachers fast enough for the history and civic duty classes to start by November.

Panna said teaching civic duty or history would not cause her any extra burden, but she felt the integrated approach would be a better option.

"When we have integrated the content, it's easier for students to see the overall picture, to see that things are related," she said. Students would not benefit much if teachers of civic duty focused on just this subject and failed to point out mistakes that humans had made in history.

"In my opinion, the content should be integrated," Panna said, "If we treat any subject as something separate, we will in effect kill it."

This veteran teacher lamented that authorities had never really debated ideas with teachers like her.

"They never asked us first, even though we were the ones teaching for well over three decades and having the good will of students," she said. "What they have done is tell us what we are supposed to do."

Panna is now teaching at the Poolcharoenwittayakhom School in Samut Prakan, a secondary school with 2,500 students.

"Our school has assigned the same teachers to handle many subjects so the content can be well integrated," the school's deputy director Chalarak Sai-utasana said.

Ladda Ketphan is one of the four social studies teachers at the Bangkok-based Matthayom Wat Nairong School. She now worries that available teaching staff won't be able to handle the two extra subjects.

She also fears these additional classes will mean more homework, something Prayuth doesn't want.

"If you tell me that civic duty will promote morality among students, I will have to say that all teachers have always sought to inculcate good habits and good values in their students," Ladda said.

Natkamon Limpanachai, head of the social studies group at the school, said the revised curriculum would mean 40 more class hours for civic duty. "It means we will have to add one more class hour to students' schedule each week," she said.

Meanwhile, the history and civic duty content has always been present, a Chulalongkorn University (CU) academic said.

CU Faculty of Education dean's assistant and lecturer Athapol Anunthavorasakul explained that Thailand had previously based its curriculum on the United Kingdom, which divided content into geography, history, civic duty and religion subjects. After World War II, Thai academics turned to American influence and pushed for these subjects to be grouped as social studies, together with civic duty, economics, geography, history and religion, he said. This approach has been part of teaching ever since. But people who hadn't closely followed Thai education might not know that history and civic duty content still exists, he said. Influential people also wanted to emphasise the teaching of these two topics, because society was caught up in conflict, he added. He affirmed that social studies teachers, however, never felt that history and civic duty content were missing.

Athapol recommended that, in order to efficiently boost studying of these topics, the learning-teaching activities should include variety based on the students' ages, educational level and content to emphasis. For example, primary students should learn social skills, including how to behave or negotiate - and social values such as respect for others, children's duties and discipline. Primary pupils should not learn subject content through rote learning but teachers should place emphasis on the attitudes for harmonious co-existence in society. More content could be taught in lower secondary such as how forms of government were in line with economic ideologies, he said, then upper secondary level could expand more in readiness for higher education.

The learner development objectives should emphasise knowledge linkages and integration, he added.

"Children are learning a lot from the real world, so it would be good not to teach them by rote learning but by taking in real world examples, such as through case histories and news. Knowledge sought for teaching should include cultural diversity, laws, and forms of government. Students can't just study these contents separately," Athapol said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Caution-urged-on-PMs-education-vision-30242741.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-08

[terryp]

that would be an improvement as its about 200 years in the past ... so of they can get it to only 30 years in the past that sound good for thailand

[zeichen]

Yeah, students need another separate class. They are only studying 14 different subjects a week, that really isn't enough. Leave education to educators not bureaucrats. Throwing money at high tech things when the major thing to make improvements would be to reduce class sizes to under 30, reduce the number of classes studied a week, actually have students learn things rather than just cover information and facts, give proper professional development to teachers that are already qualified, reassure teachers that being corrected isn't loosing face it is learning.

[bendywire]

The reason teachers haven't been consulted is a simple one. They the teachers have been failing in their duty for generations to educate children. I have worked alongside some fantastic young teachers who in the end just give up trying to new things. They are brow beaten down by the dinosaurs set in their ways of teaching by rote. The children have a right to be taught and consistently the teachers fail in their delivery. It's been said millions of times but the no fail policy should be the first thing to go. Students know that they can't fail and quite rightly play the game. There is something wrong when a student learns more about math, science and languages outside of school rather than on it.

[timewilltell]

Well thinking of the past failed system is not going to make the vast improvements needed and hoped for. The rote system is fine for your times table but not much else. Thailand needs to get rid of the no fail system, get rid of old useless teachers and perhaps even more importantly old useless administrators and adopt a policy of excellence and student motivation.

Just as important is to make society outside the school fit the role model you are trying to achieve. You can teach a child corruption is bad and should be stamped out until the child understands and accepts and adopts those values but it will all disappear in a flash if the society they live in does not also have those values you are teaching.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[Rykbanlor]

The reason teachers haven't been consulted is a simple one. They the teachers have been failing in their duty for generations to educate children. I have worked alongside some fantastic young teachers who in the end just give up trying to new things. They are brow beaten down by the dinosaurs set in their ways of teaching by rote. The children have a right to be taught and consistently the teachers fail in their delivery. It's been said millions of times but the no fail policy should be the first thing to go. Students know that they can't fail and quite rightly play the game. There is something wrong when a student learns more about math, science and languages outside of school rather than on it.

AGreed - What with the social hierarchy, young teachers don't dare challenge the status quo. They are, as you so rightly say, brow beaten into submission.

This makes me loose absolute hope. While the people in charge of reforming the system may mean well, they are completely out of touch - as are the 'dinosaurs' in the classroom, so the hope of a decent and progressive reform seems distant and unlikely.

What Thailand needs to do, but it never will because of the aforementioned social hierarchy, is to bring in youngbloods and source source NEW ideas.

The systems of corruption, nepotism, 'face' and the police force are all widely acknowledged (by us) as major barriers to meaningful progress, but lest we forget this hierarchical system of senior authority which absolutely strangles any progression before its had a chance to be even debated.

[lostinisaan]

Organised by the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec), a total of 1,206 master teachers will receive training programmes for the teaching of these two subjects this month and next month. The participants are expected to share their knowledge with other teachers fast enough for the history and civic duty classes to start by November.

If they don't share knowledge, which they obviously don't have , they're expected to share their Somtham.

Children are learning a lot from the real world, so it would be good not to teach them by rote learning but by taking in real world examples, such as through case histories and news. Knowledge sought for teaching should include cultural diversity, laws, and forms of government. Students can't just study these contents separately," Athapol said

They know almost all websites with naked people in it and all are already facebooked. And forms of military governments is important to our son..

[rickirs]

"When we have integrated the content, it's easier for students to see the overall picture.."

Maybe there is an intent for students NOT to see the overall picture but to only focus on the micronisms of Thai culture, especially in regard to its glorious moments in history. Otherwise, they might start to ask questions about the world outside Thailand that might create uncomfortable "conflict" that the present regime disfavors in human relationships with their government.

[Lupatria]

How many more fruitless attempts does this country need (and can afford) to reform a reform resistant backward education system?

[falangjim]

Athapol recommended that, in order to efficiently boost studying of these topics, the learning-teaching activities should include variety based on the students' ages, educational level and content to emphasis. For example, primary students should learn social skills, including how to behave or negotiate - and social values such as respect for others, children's duties and discipline. Primary pupils should not learn subject content through rote learning but teachers should place emphasis on the attitudes for harmonious co-existence in society. More content could be taught in lower secondary such as how forms of government were in line with economic ideologies, he said, then upper secondary level could expand more in readiness for higher education.

This is a parent's duty, not the teacher's responsibility. Sure, a teacher can help with this along the way with classroom management, but as a teacher, I'm not these kids' parents. I teach content, and what they do with it is up to them.

Why not instill a philosophy where children are actually raised by their parents rather than shoved off to be raised by their grandparents? That would be a start. Furthermore, do we really want Thai teachers to continue to hold the reigns with disciplining, most notably through some form of physical punishment?

Edited September 8, 2014 by falangjim

[zeichen]

"This is a parent's duty, not the teacher's responsibility. Sure, a teacher can help with this along the way with classroom management, but as a teacher, I'm not these kids' parents. I teach content, and what they do with it is up to them. "

You must be American. That is the American Educational Philosophy but most of the world believes that morality, social skills, etc should also be a strong part of education.

Teachers are role models not just knowledge input devices. There is nothing wrong with incorporating desirable characteristics/ approaches to learning that are socially and civically minded.

"Why not instill a philosophy where children are actually raised by their parents rather than shoved off to be raised by their grandparents?"

This is a teachers job also? Or even a governments?

What is wrong with grandparents being active in the children's upbringing. Both parents have to work long hours and grandparents are very nurturing and caring what's wrong with that?

[bangkokgabe]

Athapol recommended that, in order to efficiently boost studying of these topics, the learning-teaching activities should include variety based on the students' ages, educational level and content to emphasis. For example, primary students should learn social skills, including how to behave or negotiate - and social values such as respect for others, children's duties and discipline. Primary pupils should not learn subject content through rote learning but teachers should place emphasis on the attitudes for harmonious co-existence in society. More content could be taught in lower secondary such as how forms of government were in line with economic ideologies, he said, then upper secondary level could expand more in readiness for higher education.

This is a parent's duty, not the teacher's responsibility. Sure, a teacher can help with this along the way with classroom management, but as a teacher, I'm not these kids' parents. I teach content, and what they do with it is up to them.

Why not instill a philosophy where children are actually raised by their parents rather than shoved off to be raised by their grandparents? That would be a start. Furthermore, do we really want Thai teachers to continue to hold the reigns with disciplining, most notably through some form of physical punishment?

Excellent comment

[Cake Monster]

Its all too easy to let the grandparents care for the children here, just by useing the " we have to work away in the city,and send money back " excuse, the parents can carry on living the lifestyle they had, without any resposibility, before the children came along.

Thais are the most irresponsible people that I have ever met ( and not just about kids )

[Daniel Boon]

In my opinion, Thailand could consider making the Thai people more self sufficient ( food, water and energy) as the cost of living will create social unrest as it is in many countries ...Egypt is one example of a nation that once was totally self sufficient and now highly reliant on food imports and rationed energy.

[kingstonkid]

The reason teachers haven't been consulted is a simple one. They the teachers have been failing in their duty for generations to educate children. I have worked alongside some fantastic young teachers who in the end just give up trying to new things. They are brow beaten down by the dinosaurs set in their ways of teaching by rote. The children have a right to be taught and consistently the teachers fail in their delivery. It's been said millions of times but the no fail policy should be the first thing to go. Students know that they can't fail and quite rightly play the game. There is something wrong when a student learns more about math, science and languages outside of school rather than on it.

Bendywire there is the other side of that though.

I have worked with some great older teachers (mid 30-40 range that cared about the students and demanded the most frm them and got it due to the respect that students had for them.

Then there were the new "cute" teachers that only cared if they looked good and the kids liked them. These teachers had none of the respect of the students and when they tried to actually teach could not.

Remember any young teacher was taught in the same system that is failing the students.

There is an easy solution cut down the number of classes to a manageable level 14 classes is not a lot if it is broken into 2 semesters. Teach 7 in the first semester and 7 in the second semester.

The most important thing they need to bring back so that the education system gets better is a set guideline of what is to be taught in a year and have the students do tests and projects that are accountable and marked. The end being that a student that does not make the grade DOES NOT MAKE THE GRADE.

Set up a group of senior teachers directors to audit the schools and make sure that they are meeting the guidelines. If they are not close them down.

If a student fails it is the student and parents fault.

If a class has mostly failures it is the teachers fault.

If the school has a high failure rate it is the schools fault.

And

Yes if all the schools are bad it is the governments fault

[Cake Monster]

In top tier countries, only the intelligent young people get a place in a University.

Here, in many Uni,s a child can enter with a GPA of only 2.5 or above, which is a very low entry point.

With such a low target for achievement prior to University, many parents just " buy " a place for their children in a Univerity, which results in so many young people with " Degrees ", but with very little ability to learn, or to be a real asset to society.

The parents can then brag and have " face" that their kid is in a Univerity, but they neglect to say that any degree that is obtained, is only recognised in Thailand, and is completely worthless in another country.

[aarontendo]

"This is a parent's duty, not the teacher's responsibility. Sure, a teacher can help with this along the way with classroom management, but as a teacher, I'm not these kids' parents. I teach content, and what they do with it is up to them. "

You must be American. That is the American Educational Philosophy but most of the world believes that morality, social skills, etc should also be a strong part of education.

Teachers are role models not just knowledge input devices. There is nothing wrong with incorporating desirable characteristics/ approaches to learning that are socially and civically minded.

"Why not instill a philosophy where children are actually raised by their parents rather than shoved off to be raised by their grandparents?"

This is a teachers job also? Or even a governments?

What is wrong with grandparents being active in the children's upbringing. Both parents have to work long hours and grandparents are very nurturing and caring what's wrong with that?

Another vastly full of shit statement made about America's education, more than likely from someone who's never stepped foot in a classroom there or even attempted to learn about it. Surprise surprise we're in Thailand I suppose...

Unless you've been in a primary school classroom back home I don't think you can make such a statement. We do a lot of collaborate work with students. If anything I feel that we do TOO MUCH of it back in the states. Nevertheless, that's the system.

As a primary school educator from America, I can promise you that we don't just drill content, and it's certainly not something that is taught in our schools of education. Hence, I doubt it's part of any modern American educational philosophy. I think at the secondary level we tend to focus a bit more upon content, but seeing as how you were replying to a post regarding primary education we'll just leave that out.