Let's rescue teaching
Re: "Education malaise", (PostBag, June 26).
I must agree with Mr Kaito on everything he has suggested in his letter.
The problem with the Thai education system lies in its roots where teachers are appointed as civil servants, not as public servants. They don their uniforms to appease their patrons in the ministry located in Bangkok rather than focus on teaching and excellence.
The Thai education system is riddled with red tape and will require nothing less than a Glasnost or Perestroika. It will indeed be very helpful if Thai students are taught by teachers who are subject matter specialists with Master's or PhD degrees in English, maths, science, information technology, and liberal arts. Thai schools, especially those in rural areas, lack qualified teachers as well as resources because of rampant corruption.
I must also say that Thailand has a strange fascination with white folk. Many schools, colleges and universities use them as mannequins to look like an international organisation. Hence, they will hire a white backpacker over a qualified professional from Taiwan, Singapore or India. In a nutshell, all other foreigners who are not white are either looked down as inferior or are seen as economic refugees. Not to say, some of the white folks are highly versatile and dedicated, but they are very few. Thailand needs to work more on bringing diversity in their classrooms. After all, it is a diverse country from the North to the South.
Education reforms in Thailand can only happen with a major overhaul of the centralised system of administration. More autonomy, more competition in the education sector, especially in rural areas, and more foreigners who are subject matter specialists can help improve the system. In the US the charter schools and "Teach for America" campaign have allowed doctors, physicians, scientists, engineers and artists and other practitioners and professionals to teach in schools without any academic degrees in education or a licence from the local agency.
Thailand can attract talent just like the US, Europe, and Australia by providing incentives to attract highly educated and skilled professionals. Hence, along with the educational system it needs to reform its arcane immigration policies. It needs to provide incentives to foreigners to relocate. Thailand does not need to look to the West for inspiration. Neighbours like Malaysia and Singapore are a good role model for improving Thai education.
Kuldeep Nagi
