How primary education can save billions

[webfact]

EDU UPDATE
How primary education can save billions
The Nation August

BANGKOK: -- Southeast Asian countries stand to lose billions of dollars in the near future unless urgent measures are taken to enrol millions of out-of-school children in the region, a recent report from Unesco Bangkok showed.

The report, titled the "Economic Cost of Out-of-School Children in Southeast Asia" and co-published by Unesco Bangkok and the Washington-based Results for Development Institute (R4D), focuses on seven Southeast Asian countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

It estimates that if primary school enrolment patterns do not change, the unskilled workforce that emerges will cost countries anywhere from 0.1 per cent of their GDP in the case of Vietnam to as much as 4 per cent in Timor-Leste. These estimates are on forfeited earnings alone - they tripled on average when researchers factored in indirect, non-earnings costs associated with out-of-school children. In Timor-Leste, the projected costs outstrip the country's average annual economic growth.

The report shows that enrolling children in primary school is not only a moral imperative, it also makes sound financial sense, with projected economic gains exceeding estimated increases in public spending in all countries, even those with relatively few out-of-school children, such as Vietnam.

Young people from the poorest households in the region are overwhelmingly over-represented among out-of-school children, as their families are unable to finance their schooling.

"Universal primary enrolment would reduce inequality in the region, which is high particularly in the three largest economies we analysed [indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand]," the report said. "Thus, there are strong equity and efficiency arguments in favour of endowing out-of-school children with quality primary education."

An estimated 7 million children are out of school in East Asia and the Pacific, according to the Unesco Institute for Statistics. "This new study makes the economic case for just how much countries stand to benefit from aggressively pushing ahead with measures to get them in school," says Ichiro Miyazawa, Unesco Bangkok Programme Specialist in Literacy and Lifelong Learning.

"Asean countries have made tremendous strides toward universal primary education; however, this study shows that complacency would be extremely costly when it comes to the millions of out-of-school children remaining in this sub-region," Miyazawa said. "We hope this report provides decision-makers in this region with a clear understanding of the significant economic benefits of educating out-of-school children in this region."

The report uses labour market data to estimate the total earnings that will be lost as a result of an uneducated workforce if current primary school enrolment patterns do not change and also estimates the relationship between national education attainment and per capita income in East Asia.

The new study is part of a wider Unesco Bangkok project in partnership with Educate A Child (EAC) that seeks to eradicate obstacles to primary education for children in Southeast Asia, both in policy and practice. The project targets out-of-school children, including those born into poverty, the disabled, migrant and stateless children, girls, those living in remote areas and ethnic minorities.

The losses caused by out-of-school children tallies up to 0.64 per cent or Bt2.47 billion of gross domestic product;

The number out-of-school children is a major economic failure - an under-investment in human capital that results in large income gaps, even though primary school is mandatory;

Mandatory primary education would greatly reduce inequality in the region, particularly in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/How-primary-education-can-save-billions-30266713.html

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/How-primary-education-can-save-billions-30266713.html

[BigBadGeordie]

Mandatory primary education is enshrined in statute in Thailand, but very rarely enforced, with minimal sanctions. They like to teach the kids early the importance of "Thainess"in relation to regulations.

[thesetat2013]

Mandatory primary education is enshrined in statute in Thailand, but very rarely enforced, with minimal sanctions. They like to teach the kids early the importance of "Thainess"in relation to regulations.

That would be thainess and the core values as prescribed by Thailand's fearless leader. I for one will refuse to enroll my child in any school in Thailand as they don't educate children. I can do a better job myself or take them to an international school.

One more point. What makes this group believe Thailand will read and act upon their report?

[BigBadGeordie]

Mandatory primary education is enshrined in statute in Thailand, but very rarely enforced, with minimal sanctions. They like to teach the kids early the importance of "Thainess"in relation to regulations.

That would be thainess and the core values as prescribed by Thailand's fearless leader. I for one will refuse to enroll my child in any school in Thailand as they don't educate children. I can do a better job myself or take them to an international school.

One more point. What makes this group believe Thailand will read and act upon their report?

I take you point in respect to the 12 core values bull, but I think the major issue here is, yes there are existing rules, but, no there will be no sanction if not followed. As illustrated every day on the roads of Thailand and in many many other situations in daily life experienced here.

[lostinisaan]

"Asean countries have made tremendous strides toward universal primary education; however, this study shows that complacency would be extremely costly when it comes to the millions of out-of-school children remaining in this sub-region,"

With Thailand being about 50 years behind most Western countries? One "research" after the other doesn't change anything.

The dream to become THE SEA Educational Hub never came true.( And never will!!)

And the no fail policy with students who are not allowed to ask their teachers any questions should have first priority for Thailand. Could the students fail, they would definitely learn their subjects.

A friend once asked me why we'd have so many soldiers at our school with their fancy white uniforms. He was surprised when I told him that these were the teachers.

Time to take them down from their thrones. And throw all corrupt school directors in prison. But then there wouldn't be too many of them left. Hmm, time for another research. Let's start.....

Edited August 17, 2015 by lostinisaan

[FangFerang]

Thailand will have better education when the shadow leaders decide to let Thais have better education, and when the tax money diverted to subsidize private schools is redirected to public schools where it belonged in the first place (private schools get 38K per student per semester, which is a tenth of what is budgeted for each public school student). This is flagrant corruption, and the PM will never discuss it, much less change anything.

It is blatantly the real reason so much is in the MOE budget and so little is accomplished. The private schools will do anything to keep their head count up, and their subsidy, including "no child left behind". They should send GW Bush a Thank You note and have the Iraqis sign it.

It's the big white elephant in the room, but the three monkeys can see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil.

All the junta cheerleaders avoid the topic altogether.

[elgordo38]

Mandatory primary education is enshrined in statute in Thailand, but very rarely enforced, with minimal sanctions. They like to teach the kids early the importance of "Thainess"in relation to regulations.

A bridge is only as good as its weakest link.

[lostinisaan]

Thailand will have better education when the shadow leaders decide to let Thais have better education, and when the tax money diverted to subsidize private schools is redirected to public schools where it belonged in the first place (private schools get 38K per student per semester, which is a tenth of what is budgeted for each public school student). This is flagrant corruption, and the PM will never discuss it, much less change anything.

It is blatantly the real reason so much is in the MOE budget and so little is accomplished. The private schools will do anything to keep their head count up, and their subsidy, including "no child left behind". They should send GW Bush a Thank You note and have the Iraqis sign it.

It's the big white elephant in the room, but the three monkeys can see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil.

All the junta cheerleaders avoid the topic altogether.

It's truly amazing how many tax payers ( me included) have to pay a lot of money for private schools. A friend of mine who works at the local educational area office told me that a private college, as well as a private Chinese school in the district receive around/ at least 70 % of all their expenses from the Thai government.

And even now there're still around 2000 schools without electricity. Quite a lot of in Thailand born babies are stateless, without the right to attend a school.

Foreigners can come to this country, spend all their life savings, but they'll never have the chance to be more than a farang.

"Phak Chee Roy Na" This is a saying in Thai that means if you garnish something nice enough, it will also make everything taste better. ( See Thai schools...)

The poor teachers at the college have a workload of 26 - 28 hours per week.

38 K per student and semester seems to be a pretty high sum, are you sure about that? What does George W have to do with it? Just curious.....

Edited August 17, 2015 by lostinisaan

[chondan]

lostinisaan

Years ago the head teacher taught classes. Now the school director... is maybe in his office to sign crucial documents to get a visa. Probably not, usually not. Sign teachers salaries. "He is off to Chiengmai>"

"No, I need it today cause it is Sept. 30." "He does not answer his phone."

I teach these same people on weekends for Masters and Phd. English for Communication. After 2 weekends I go back to the basics. Your I.D. number is fifteen, not five teen. And I like rice. instead Me rikes lice. Me go weekend at studyieng Engrish. And when only one out of 33 adult students can recite the A<B<Cs correctly. Well as Trink always said. T.I.T.