Call to press education reform

"We should not waste time and resources on the organisationalstructure revamp anymore," the premier said about the first round of the educational reform, "In fact, the structural revamp is just a tool".

Educational reform began nine years ago. However, the results have been far from impressive.

The goals of the reform plan were to deliver equal educational opportunities, to increase participation by all sides in educational services, and to improve the quality of education.

"There has been no satisfactory results for the above goals," Abhisit said.

Despite the government's provision of socalled free education for 12 years, Abhisit has received daily emailed complaints from parents about having to pay for their children's education.

 "The most worrying of all is the educational quality," Abhisit said.

He pointed out that the students' academic performance in tests had showed disappointing results especially when it came to mathematics and science.

"The quality of education is key. The next round of reforms must focus on this," the premier said.

He was speaking at a seminar on the direction of the second round of the educational reform.

Abhisit called on relevant parties to look at what happened during the first round of reform.

"Learn the lessons and focus on the key substance," the premier said.

Speaking at the same seminar, former education minister Dr Wijit Srisaarn said the first round of educational reform was not successful because teachers and teaching staff still lacked adequate understanding about the reform aims.

"The second round of educational reform should focus on improving the skills of the 600,000 teachers across the country," Wijit said, "Educational management also needs to be improved".