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I do very much agree with these two concepts. The opportunity for children to get access to education as early as the age of 3-4 years would make them more intellectual and have an ability to learn when they are older.

Dr Kobsak Pootrakool, who won the Thai Young Economist reward this year, did the research on the education system and the Thai economic system. He revealed the effect Thai education has on the economic system: that the IQ level of Thai pre-school children (under the age of six) is just about the same level as that of those in the US as well as those in the other developed countries.

However, the IQ levels of the children aged between 6-13 are comparatively below those of children in the US.

This difference has the tendency to grow apart for children aged 13-18. The main reason for this difference is that the kindergarten education in the developed countries is compulsory or, in other words, the compulsory education covers 14 years whereas, in Thailand, the compulsory education covers only 12 years starting from the first grade in primary school when the children are already six years of age.

The children under six in urban areas stand a better chance to enter the school at kindergarten level. When they grow up, they are better prepared for higher education than those in rural areas where there is no kindergarten school.

Another reason is that children in developed countries or those from well-off families have more chance to get nutritious food than those from poor families in rural areas.

Doctors affirm that the brains of those who get good nutritious food since they are at a very young age tend to develop more. I once brought up a child who came to stay with me after age six. This child was very small. I noticed that the size of its head was smaller than those of others. I consulted with a doctor who explained that it was because this child had not had enough nutrients since a very young age.

The idea of the PM to provide free milk to all pre-school students was, therefore, worth praising because, in milk, there are many important nutrient ingredients for growing children. Most importantly, the brain will be able to develop as well. The question now is only how his idea should be effectively implemented.

The implementation should start by expanding the capability of schools all over the country to cover kindergarten level which is now possible for schools only in urban areas.

More kindergarten teachers would be needed but there will not be any difficulties for schools in urban areas as there are now a number of teachers waiting to get jobs.

However, what is most worrying is how to help schools in rural areas where school buildings, facilities or even teachers are deficient. The competent teachers would very much want to teach in the big cities than in the rural areas due to the facility insufficiency and the teachers have to shoulder other burdens than teaching as well.

This is a serious issue needing serious attention. I do believe that should the government announce it a national issue, it stands a good chance of being successful.

First of all, the Minister of Education, Jurin Laksanawisit, is known as a capable administrator who drew a lot of admiration from officials in the Ministry of Commerce for his performance as a minister in the past.

Secondly, in expanding education, there will need to be more building construction, more facilities purchased. This year, the public accepts that the government should run a deficit budget to stimulate the economy. More construction means more jobs and more economic stimulation.

The purchase of more facilities would help the suppliers' business. To find more teachers in rural areas will not be too much of a burden with full cooperation from officials at the Ministry of Educa-tion.

The school milk provision scheme |for students in pre-school can be implemented right away as some schools |having a kindergarten education are ready to receive free milk from the government.

In some pre-school nurseries in remote areas, there has never been enough milk for young children each day. I personally have visited a nursery for hill tribe children where they could provide powdered milk mixed with water for children only two times a week.

I would like to urge the Minister of Education to take this issue seriously. Not only is it a great merit making, it can also prepare the children for further physical development. I strongly believe that officials in the Ministry of Education are mostly dealing with children and would genuinely like to help our next generation. Only some politicians or their related parties and suppliers had so much ill-will that they could corrupt a supply system and try to get the benefits out of such projects for children.

Any time I read news of this kind, I always get annoyed and curse those of ill-will. I have faith in the current minister. Please do consult with decent officials who can easily be found in the ministry. Serious planning will definitely be the key success factor for this project which will benefit Thai children nationwide.

Until Next Monday