The report projects that by 2020, Asia will be dramatically transformed into a region that has largely conquered extreme poverty.

It estimates that by 2020, fewer than 25 million of East Asia's estimated 2 billion people will be living on less than US$1 (Bt35.01) a day.

At the same time, 90 per cent of the region's people will be living in middle-income countries, with their collective economies accounting for 45 per cent of global output and 35 per cent of world trade.

This is good news for Thailand. As our neighbours - chiefly China, Japan and Vietnam - are enjoying higher incomes, Thailand should be able to sell them more products and services. But then again, are we capable of maximising potential revenues?

But amid all this good news comes some bad. Families of Prathom-6 students are celebrating this hot season's school break in tears, as they are still having difficulty in enrolling in public schools near their homes.

This might amaze foreigners. Aren't there sufficient schools for our kids who will be driving our nation into the future?

The Education Ministry says there are indeed enough schools, but parents prefer to put their children into the more "famous" ones.

And the word "famous" here means the success ratio of the schools, determined by

the number of students who succeed in enrolling in state universities. And "famous" state universities are their target.

The "famous" word here means the ratio of the university students who can find good jobs after graduation.

The path of their lives is like a pyramid. From a vast base, they are being funnelled along a path that grows narrower and narrower.

What will they become in the next 13 years?

achara_d@nationgroup.com