Academics slam reds in education role

Published: 9 Aug 2012 at 20.58
Online news:

Academics on Thursday voiced strong opposition to the appointment of members and supporters of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), including chairwoman Tida Tawornseth, to subcommittees for the Office of the Education Council.

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Assoc. Prof Sompong Jitradub, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of education, demanded the Education Ministry review its appointment of the UDD members to the council’s subcommittees, saying when it came to education the ministry should have appointed people with non-political roles as well as those who are rational and widely regarded as experts in their fields, not political extremists.

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dekwat
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Discussion 27 : 10 Aug 2012 at 19.2927
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goodheart Disc 25. I've been in Thailand for more than 24 years.
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bern1005
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Discussion 26 : 10 Aug 2012 at 17.5126
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It is all academic now.. it appears they were never asked if the jobs were wanted and now they say they are not interested in the positions.
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goodheart
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Discussion 25 : 10 Aug 2012 at 13.0925
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Dekwat Disc 17.
In answer to your question, which I don't think is relevent but will answer.
In ten days time I will have been here for twenty one years.
How about you?
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pjt
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Discussion 24 : 10 Aug 2012 at 12.5124
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All agree the education system needs reform, and this was recognised at the election, but the starting point has to be at the top with the Education Minister and his deputies, not putting political activists on sub-committees. PT is not taking education change seriously as indicated by the fact that this is the 2nd education minister (and deputy) in 1 year, and there is little if anything in his background (primarily economics and finance) to indicate any vision or passion for educational change. Do not be suprised to find a 3rd face after the next reshuffle, when the situation cries out for someone to be given an extended run at the MoE to initiate the changes all agree are needed
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jacksprat
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Discussion 23 : 10 Aug 2012 at 12.1223
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@Discussion 17 - The Ministry of Education 5 or 6 years ago declared its policy would be "student centred" with participation in curriculum development from all of the local community "shareholders" - teachers, administrators, parents and even students. I knew at the very beginning that this was very unlikely to happen. With the current government, it seems even less likely, since they appoint people with absolutely no experience in the education field.
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democrazy
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Discussion 22 : 10 Aug 2012 at 10.2222
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This gov. makes a new low everyday.
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barry1244
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Discussion 21 : 10 Aug 2012 at 10.1421
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You know the old saying:
If you do what you have always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.
In other words if you don't start to improve education in this country, Thailand will remain the same as it is today.
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ggh
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Discussion 20 : 10 Aug 2012 at 09.5320
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The years I have been in Thailand, I can honestly say I have not seen a single individual in the MOE that has managed to accomplish much of anything to promote proper education in Thailand. Considering the primary areas affected by poor education opportunity are precisely the regions predominately represented by the UDD, with exception of the South, maybe the UDD actually may be able to contribute constructively to education in these regions. Let’s face it, so far no one else has.
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smiles999
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Discussion 19 : 10 Aug 2012 at 09.4319
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We need not have a critical opinion on this.. as all the committees and sub-committees, are to be well represented; nothing wrong with red-shirts/yellow shirts being in these panels. For a healthy democracy, education councils have to have a wide spectrum of thought. This is not about brainwashing or textbooks or curriculum being changed.. Educational institutions retain their autonomy. Also these committees hold office till the present government holds office. We all for sure know that the education system needs to be revamped, and this is just one of the numerous dimensions. # agree with you goodheart. Vociferous views by these Universities reflect their own weaknesses and guilt.
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bern1005
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Discussion 18 : 10 Aug 2012 at 09.3518
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Political appointees are traditional in Thailand and so it would be (pleasantly) shocking if PT broke with that tradition.

I do not comment on if these appointees are capable of making any positive contributions, but we urgently need change in education so my default position is that if the Thai educational establishment dislike something then it is probably a good thing to try.
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Academics slam reds in education role

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