Teachers should have degree in their teaching subjects

The panel is working on a fiveyear plan to develop and produce educators, to be submitted in June to Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit.

"We will propose that the Education Ministry encourage graduates with degrees in pure academic fields like mathematics and science to take teaching jobs," Warakorn said.

He said it was not necessary for teachers to study education during their undergraduate programmes.

"People who have studied mathematics and science can receive a oneyear training on how to teach before they conduct classes," Warakorn pointed out.

He said many countries,such as Indonesia, had used this technique which "means math teachers really know about math." At present, education students learn more about teaching techniques rather than content.

"As a result, some graduates cannot teach [their specialised subjects] well," Warakorn added.

He said 150,000 teachers, or about 30 per cent of the teaching workforce, would leave the service in the next 10 years.

"This will give the country a good opportunity to fill the vacant positions with quality, newgeneration teachers," a key factor in the delivery of topclass educational services.

"Then, we will also need to efficiently distribute teachers among children across the country. Today, the shortage of teachers takes place mainly because teachers usually choose to work at schools in towns," he said, "Many teachers have refused to work at remote schools".

Warakorn suggested the fouryear course should be adjusted into a fiveyear one, with education students getting intensive classes on subjects they will teach after their graduation.