OPINION

Thinking is the key

Re: "Religion not the answer", (Editorial, Feb 15).

Your editorial concludes with the suggestion that, instead of teaching Buddhism in schools, the Ministry of Education should introduce "extra ethics, philosophy, and human rights courses … in fields that can develop students' logical and critical thinking abilities."

It could do both. I realise that this is a fantasy, but why couldn't we have a course in comparative religions (including atheism), to be taught during the final two years of high school, when students' thinking abilities are at their peak?

Call the course "Worldviews". Bring in accredited representatives of various religious and non-religious groups to present their cases. Have units on Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baha'i, and atheism.

Hold free-wheeling discussions dealing with questions like: "If there is a God who is both omnipotent and beneficent, why is the world in such a mess?" "If there is no creating God, how and why did the universe come into being?" "What evidence do we have for the existence of any kind of afterlife?" "If there is an operative law of karma, why does it take so long for some individuals' karma to bear fruit?"

Questions like these may not yield any conclusive answers, but they will certainly make students think. And exposure to a variety of views will broaden their outlook. I am under no illusion that the existing power structure would ever give such a suggestion anything more than a dismissive laugh.

Re: "Embassies urged to find English teachers", (BP, Feb 15).

Well, improving the English of Thai students requires more than hiring foreigners through G2G initiatives. The Education Ministry must adopt multipronged efforts in enhancing student language proficiency.

First, the curriculum should be completely overhauled to focus on Stem (science, technology, English and maths). These are key subjects for cultivating strong logical and communicational skills.

Second, the English degree programmes at university level should be enhanced to meet global standards.

Third, teachers should be provided with incentives to enhance their own English proficiency. Only those who provide evidence of strong English language skills, not just some six-month certification, should advance.

And lastly, the media should embrace English as a second language.

The only way to improve the English proficiency of Thais is to enhance their surroundings with the sights and sounds of the English language. It must start very early with primary school education. Other strata of the educational system will require more than just hiring additional native speakers.

Yes, "Military rot goes deep", (PostBag, Feb 16). The military emulate their big benefactors in China where the rot goes deeper. However, this rot runs rampant among the Thai police as well.

As deep as the rot is, I would not condemn either institution. These situations of rot run not only through the army and police force, but throughout the country, top to bottom, rich to poor. It is condoned, not condemned. It is easier to jump on the carousel than to jump off.