Public education needs major overhaul pronto

THAILAND

Public education needs major overhaul pronto

Published: 9/03/2011 at 02:43 AM
Newspaper section: News

Thailand is not alone in facing massive problems with the graduates produced by its universities. About 50% of the graduates cannot find jobs while the output remains high, with around 2 million graduates every year - a good business for the universities, a bad business for society.

Acquiring a degree does not guarantee a job, as many university graduates later find out.

Universities complain about students unwilling to learn, lacking creativity in finding solutions, superficially preparing for exams, while not understanding anything.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

About the author

: Writer: Ulrich Werner; Position: Writer

Keep this article in your social bookmark:

Latest stories in this category:

Your comments

bkkmatt
Post : 225
Send message

Discussion 3 : 10/03/2011 at 03:31 AM3
Post this to my Facebook
Aussie John hits the nail on the head.
Students from anunbahn through Pratom and Mattayom MUST be taught to be critical thinkers and have a more creative and open mind to learning which must be encouraged by their teachers.
This current Rote learning system doesn't work and by the time these Robots/student reach University, any creativity or analytical thinking is not going to all of a sudden appear out of nowhere.
P.S I find it amazing 2 million students graduate each year, but then saying that, Thailands NO FAIL POLICY is still in full swing so in many ways im not surprised.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
snooze

Discussion 2 : 09/03/2011 at 05:26 AM2
I was once an English teacher in Thailand and this article expresses accurately the problem with education in Thailand . Very eloquent, well written and reasoned. Now all we need is someone on a powerful position to listen instead of burying their heads in the sand.
from iPhone application.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
Aussie John
Post : 584
Send message

Discussion 1 : 09/03/2011 at 04:35 AM1
Post this to my Facebook
Active learning goes against many social/cultural norms presently in Thailand. Rote methods of learning turn out bored, unimaginative students who basically regurgitate information. To be able to criticize and analytically think for oneself are not taught in the formative primary and high school years. If the foundation of learning is purely based on 'rote' and subservience to the teacher what level of quality do you expect when the student enters university. Thailand's passive education has created a new generation of youth who basically do not care and are unwilling to question what can be possible for not only their futures but that of their own country.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment

Public education needs major overhaul pronto | Bangkok Post: opinion