Prayut to lead 'super board' on education system reform

[Lite Beer]

Prayut to lead 'super board' on education system reform
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- PM Eyes amending existing laws and overhauling structures to boost sector

PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha announced yesterday that he will head the soon-to-established "super board" for education.

"And I will try to yield results as soon as I can," he said in his weekly "Returning Happiness to People" TV programme last night.

Despite the huge budget set aside for the education sector, relevant authorities say it still needs major changes.

"I want to be able to give clear orders, as the existing units within the Education Ministry and the NRC [National Reform Council] have not been able to yield very concrete results due to limitations and regulations," Prayut said.

He said he has already spoken to the education minister to ensure this will not interfere with his work.

Prayut has also set his sights on amending related laws and overhauling structures for the sake of better education.

"I want to be able to make adjustments to the education system right now, in terms of class structure, fairness and the curriculum. Important subjects such as civic duties, history, democracy and patriotism need to be included," he said. "I will try to heed the public's demands by addressing the question of making learning a constructive experience while also upholding quality."

He said the country also needs to rethink the procurement of textbooks and learning materials. The Education Ministry will have a committee to evaluate the quality of textbooks before they are passed on to the Office of Basic Education Commission and a panel made up of representatives of teachers, parents, community leaders and student councils for approval.

"We will have to find out how we can acquire quality textbooks that are inexpensive. Can old textbooks be used, supplemented with inserts or sheets that contain additional content? The government may also have to take care of the expenses associated with textbooks, from kindergarten up to the end of basic education."

Lessons needed to be modernised, he said, and management synchronised on different levels in line with the national economic and social development plan.

Prayut said his government would also look into the issue of tutorial schools.

"Don't assume that I am trying to get them to pay taxes. I want a more concrete structure and for greater fairness. I'm not banning anybody, but there is a need for rules," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Prayut-to-lead-super-board-on-education-system-ref-30255041.html

-- The Nation 2015-02-28

[baboon]

What can possibly go wrong?

[NeverSure]

[EricBerg]

"I will try to heed the public's demands by addressing the question of making learning a constructive experience while also upholding quality."

Upholding present quality is a piece of cake. A significant rise of the quality to decent levels is a huge task. It requiers a change of mentality of students at all levels and of many teachers as well. Fraud at exams and bribing teachers is broadly accepted. As long as students and parents are solely interested in diploms and not in how those were acquired any big improvement will be a mission impossible.

[Robby nz]

If he is going to take personal charge of overseeing education reforms he has got his priorities right for education is one of the most important, if not the most important thing that needs urgent attention.

Not going to be an easy job though what with entrenched ministry, administration and teaching all having to be changed.

[thesetat2013]

Someone needs to tell P that he needs to be rid of the everyone passes rule and start making students responsible to learn in the classrooms if they want a good future. Right now education is just a money making business.

[greenchair]

Tutorial centers have gotten a lot of criticism lately.

If fact almost every top student in this country has attended a tutorial center for math, science and English.

In fact, a majority of children that do not attend, are failing in these 3 subjects.

Why? Because the government keeps giving more subjects for the children to learn and there is no longer time to teach these 3 important subjects.

Already schools have 5 extra subjects that are not taught in the west.

Budhism, scouts , asean , English, thai culture.

The children used to study 5 hours per day and finish at 3 o'clock. They now study 6-7 hours per day, (half hour break)

And finish 4 o'clock.

There is no time for fun.

Now he wants to add another 2 or 3 subjects. Another math/science lesson will be cut. All extra subjects have absolutely no value outside of Thailand or in the modern world.

Thank goodness for tutorial centers that teach kids the skills they need to function in the world.

Edited February 27, 2015 by greenchair

[joesanunu]

Can't wait for his chapter on democracy, history and civic duty.

[Snig27]

Funny how a person who has spent his whole adult life in a closeted and privileged environment and makes it very clear every time he opens his mouth that he doesn't have a clue how the real world works is now an expert of education.

Lordy, lordy ...

Edited February 28, 2015 by Snig27

[joesanunu]

Funny how a person who has spent his whole adult life in a closeted and privileged environment and makes it very clear every time he opens his mouth that he doesn't have a clue how the real world works is now an expert of education.

Lordy, lordy ...

Anybody with a reported/declared net worth of over 500 million must be doing something right.

[NongKhaiKid]

Can't wait for his chapter on democracy, history and civic duty.

Do you mean by what's included or not so discreetly left out ?

[scorecard]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

If he is going to take personal charge of overseeing education reforms he has got his priorities right for education is one of the most important, if not the most important thing that needs urgent attention.

Not going to be an easy job though what with entrenched ministry, administration and teaching all having to be changed.

It's been said many times before that the main stumbling block, the main barrier to change is the top of the education ministry itself and the old teachers. I guess this is why he has stepped in. If he has to get angry to demand change then so be it.

I've written before about the experiences of two young teachers in my own family who experienced first hand the refusal to change or even listen by older teachers.

In one instance the headmistress organized for some new graduates to share what they had been learning about student centered education. The result was a large deputation of older teachers at the door of the headmistress demanding an apology for the insult of being asked to listen to younger people and the insult that they needed to change their teaching methodology.

They left the headmistress' room after she signed a promise that she would never again raise this subject or allow anybody to come on the school grounds to talk about such matters.

[NongKhaiKid]

Funny how a person who has spent his whole adult life in a closeted and privileged environment and makes it very clear every time he opens his mouth that he doesn't have a clue how the real world works is now an expert of education.

Lordy, lordy ...

Anybody with a reported/declared net worth of over 500 million must be doing something right.

Doing something maybe but whether it's ' right ' or not is open to debate but not in public or on this forum.

[Searat7]

At least he is doing something ! Next to corruption this is probably the most serious problem facing Thailand

[96tehtarp]

I watched that "Returning Happiness to People" TV programme last night. Prime Minister GENERAL Prayut Chan-o-cha announced some very ambitious plans.

My wife was playing around with our digital TV box last night and commented that nearly every channel was displaying the same.

[geriatrickid]

At least he is doing something ! Next to corruption this is probably the most serious problem facing Thailand

What exactly is he doing? He is not competent to oversee changes to an educational system. He may have the finest intentions, but he hasn't the slightest clue when it comes to pedagogy. This is like a chap who fancies himself a handyman deciding he will now take on the service of a B787.

Edited February 28, 2015 by geriatrickid

[Lupatria]

What happened to the good old saying: Only learn from the best?

Important subjects such as civic duties, history, democracy and patriotism need to be included," he said.

Civic duties (to unburden the ones in charge), history (modified), democracy (Thaistyle) and patriotism (in short- nationalism).

Here is my opinion how it will be done:

[jackted]

I worked in Bangkok as an English teacher and became disillusioned very quickly about the Thai education system - standard of schools, teachers, materials, the obligatory `pass` marks and corruption. Over the last few years a teacher friend of mine has seen many schools replace perfectly good English teachers with a far poorer standard of teacher from countries like the Philippines, purely because they cost less to employ.

At a BBQ party recently where there was a mixture of westerners and Thais we discussed many things. Not one Thai, including my university educated wife, knew where America was or who the president was. Had no idea who Adolf Hitler was or what WW2 was. Or that Man had been to the moon.

Every single election I can remember in the UK all parties have said they will make Education a priority. Tony Blair once said the 3 most important things are `education, education, education`. However the reality of improving education has never proved to be so simple. And in Thailand that will especially so. Previous posted have highlighted the many deep rooted problems.

So good intentions, fine words but I doubt there will be the total seed change that is necessary to raise education standards in Thailand.

[johnmcc6]

At least he is doing something ! Next to corruption this is probably the most serious problem facing Thailand

What exactly is he doing? He is not competent to oversee changes to an educational system. He may have the finest intentions, but he hasn't the slightest clue when it comes to pedagogy. This is like a chap who fancies himself a handyman deciding he will now take on the service of a B787.

So you think this guy is a one man band? What he is doing is leading a reform council with very many different departments surrounding himself with experts in their fields. A personal friend of mine who is a university chancellor and professor is one of several on the committee to reform education.Everyone knows the education here is terrible and the general is determined to fix it . It may take a huge effort but give the guy credit for putting the wheels of change on the road.

[Stradavarius37]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

What can possibly go wrong?

That is the wrong question - the right question is - It couldn't possibly make things worse, so why not try?

But that would require a worldview that isn't quite so bleak.

[trogers]

What can possibly go wrong?

It's those <*#.!..g> chinese-made tablets.

[Oziex1]

My wife want's her son to do well in school as any mother would, so he can get a good paying job in another country. Thai only pay little money!

[razer]

Got to start with the teachers. Reeducate them in their field of teaching and 20th Century teacher training. Yes ... 20th century ... step by step

[bikerbri]

Only when children ( And most Adults ) are taught How to think and not what to to think,will Thai education system improve. Keeping people down is the order of the day.Knowledge is power and is reserved for only those who can pay.

[tif]

If he is going to take personal charge of overseeing education reforms he has got his priorities right for education is one of the most important, if not the most important thing that needs urgent attention.

Not going to be an easy job though what with entrenched ministry, administration and teaching all having to be changed.

And his academic credentials are?

[Baerboxer]

Funny how a person who has spent his whole adult life in a closeted and privileged environment and makes it very clear every time he opens his mouth that he doesn't have a clue how the real world works is now an expert of education.

Lordy, lordy ...

The Chair of a group of people does not have to be a subject matter expert, The do have to act in an appropriate manner to ensure governance, progress and adherence to the fundamental objectives are met, and take overall responsibility for success or failure.

Of course, actually turning up to meetings is essential,

[Baerboxer]

If he is going to take personal charge of overseeing education reforms he has got his priorities right for education is one of the most important, if not the most important thing that needs urgent attention.

Not going to be an easy job though what with entrenched ministry, administration and teaching all having to be changed.

And his academic credentials are?

His he going to chair the team of subject matter experts or is he claiming to be one?

[Baerboxer]

Funny how a person who has spent his whole adult life in a closeted and privileged environment and makes it very clear every time he opens his mouth that he doesn't have a clue how the real world works is now an expert of education.

Lordy, lordy ...

I think you will find that Prayuth started life at the bottom, in the army, without the privileged background you think he had.

Saying that its often 'self made men' who are the most annoying in terms of lecturing the rest of us on what's best.

Min of Education have spent a number of years working on a 'smart classroom' strategy, it's developed resources and focused budgets/resources on that policy. The '1 tablet per monkey' policy seen to be a ridiculous and as an effective self enrichment scheme aimed at delivering sizable kickbacks to the officials negotiating supply contracts.

In terms of tutoring schools, they are required as the average standard of teaching is so poor, anyone wanting their children to be educated needs to supplement their education with extra study.

In terms of textbooks, with inserts to update them. You are still faced with the issue of the standard of teachers. All the textbooks in the world isn't going to polish that little fecal nugget.

Its band aiding, and making foreign teachers take a Thainess course does nothing to kill the humungous elephant in the room. The standard of teacher training is terrible. All the other 'activities in schools, the religious observation, cheering days, other distractions mean that children aren't getting the standard or the classroom time to learn effectively.

The extra curricular duties put on teaching staff is another point at which schools lose focus. There should be a more realistic balance in education. You cant have your cake and eat it.

Do you want a compliant monkey of a self determining thinking monkey? You won't get both. Sadly, as much as I respect the coup, I think I can guess which option is going to be the focus of the ex-head of an army.

I rather agree with much of what you say about Thai education. Two points however. The General hardly joined the army at the bottom- unless you consider being commissioned into a guards regiment the bottom. Secondly as the father of a child who was issued a tablet in school last year, I take offence at your "one tablet one monkey" remark!

Sadly I suspect the main result of these reforms will be yet more time spent in paramilitary formations chanting patriotic slogans.

The issue with Thai education is that critical thinking skills, logic, cause and effect and challenging ideas isn't encouraged, developed and simply doesn't happen.

It's not just rote learning or lack of quality teachers. It's the desired outcome is to produce young adults who will fit into the prescribed boxes of behavior desired.

A small proportion of young people do go overseas for education. Some become very frustrated when they return as they come back with a very different mind set and won't accept the bullshit nonsensical explanations and decisions like the majority will.

Changing the education system here requires shifts in social thinking - and that here, is like pissing in the wind,

[Thailand]

If he is going to take personal charge of overseeing education reforms he has got his priorities right for education is one of the most important, if not the most important thing that needs urgent attention.

Not going to be an easy job though what with entrenched ministry, administration and teaching all having to be changed.

And his academic credentials are?

r

Absolutely anything he wants them to be.

[metisdead]

A post containing overly derogatory characterization toward Thais has been removed as well as the replies.