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Published on February 21, 2008

Academics claim education management in Thailand appears to be aimless when compared with that of six countries with higher-quality education.

The research also shows the country's administrators are not as focused on education as they should be.

The nation's educational policy has been found to be ineffective, a seminar was told yesterday.

As a result, academics urged Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat to spearhead a policy to improve education.

The study found that education systems in Germany, Finland, Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam had many prominent features.

The paper is called "Research Study on Guidelines for Developing the Quality of Thai Education to International Standards".

"Administrators of those countries pay great attention to education, whereas ours pay too little attention," said the head of the research team, Professor Paitoon Sinlarat, vice president of Durakit Pundit University.

The research suggested the government should encourage students to be more nationalistic and protect them from improper culture from foreign countries.

According to the research, education management of all six countries stated clearly what they want their students to be capable of after graduation.

Their qualifications are also tailored to the needs of their markets.

"China and Vietnam provided education that agrees with their society. They have to consider which careers are needed such as technology personnel," Paitoon said.

"However, this is a weak point for Thailand. They emphasise managing education that can be implemented when working in real life while the education in Thailand cannot help students as much when they join the workforce."

Dr Soison Sakonrak, who carried out the research into the education systems of Germany and Finland, said Thailand should make its students understand themselves as soon as possible.

Students in those two countries are able to find out what they want to be when they are in primary school. It was therefore easier for them to shape students to become efficient workers.

Another good model provided by Germany and Finland is their strictness in recruiting teachers.

In Germany, if a person wants to be a teacher, he or she must graduate with a bachelor's degree in a specialised field, complete a bachelor's or master's degree in education and pass a course of professional training lasting up to two years.

All the recommendations in the research will be proposed to the Office of the Education Council to be proposed to the Cabinet for consideration.

Wannapa Phetdee

The Nation