Education budget must focus on students and teachers

What's an education for? "Education should have two objectives: first, to give definite knowledge, reading and writing, language and mathematics, and so on; secondly, to create those mental habits which will enable people to acquire knowledge and form sound judgements for themselves," according to Bertrand Russell. We've consistently failed our kids on both counts, as shown not only by OBEC's tests, but by the steady stream of students seeking to enter the bi-lingual, demonstration or international schools, or go abroad.

Use the money, and more, to have at least one primary and one secondary school per tambon where teachers majored in the subjects taught, make learning fun, inflame the intellects of students, and encourage them to challenge everything, especially what they're being taught. Involve local communities, and make classes relevant to their locales. Give students the tools needed to satisfy their curiosities, including a PC and microscope for every two students. Realising that the average adult Thai reads only four lines per year, and that "The man who does not read books has no advantage over the man who cannot read" (Mark Twain), give students a library that can meet the demanding assignments that teachers will be required to give, complete with professional librarians, not check-out clerks.

Newin Chidchob said that his party is after our votes - not our money - so, let's call his bluff. Bhum Jai Thai, keep everything completely transparent and squeaky-clean, from procurement terms of reference to making sure all that's been promised has been carried out, and tie teacher evaluation and promotion to the extent to which their charges develop their potential.

Develop our children's brains with our money, not just build to maximise commissions.

BURIN KANTABUTRA

BANGKOK

Crackdown on animal farm industries needed

All over Pattaya I see people wearing face masks to "protect"themselves from the type-A(H1N1) virus. But if this flu strain is no more severe than most other flu viruses, why the sudden need for face masks? And why don't people wear face masks to protect themselves from far more severe respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia or tuberculosis?

About two years ago, I wore a face mask in Chiang Mai when smog was at a particularly high level. Although I believe that the amount of smog could cause worse respiratory problems than H1N1, I was about the only person wearing a face mask.

If the World Health Organisation (WHO) really cared about health - as opposed to wanting to whip up hysteria about this flu virus which is a wimp -they would demand a crackdown on the animal farm industries. If those industries continue to raise animals in such unsanitary, overcrowded conditions we may eventually have a pandemic that will kill millions of people. But WHO - like the entire medical establishment - is more interested in making money for the drug companies after a pandemic occurs than they are in doing anything from preventing the pandemic from occurring in the first place.

ERIC BAHRT

PATTAYA

Will Bangkok follow Phuket and Pattaya in cleaning up

Like earlier this week in Phuket in the fight against type-A (H1N1), municipal officers have now also scrubbed the streets of Pattaya with water and soap. Will Bangkok now follow too? We don't want to get sick from the flu!

PIETER

BANGKOK

Visitor must look at his own conduct before accusing others

Rude taxi drivers leave poor image of country (Letter to the Editor, June 16)

After reading about your unfortunate experience travelling through Suvarnabhumi Airport, Peter, I find myself in the unusual position of defending our airport's employees and taxi drivers.

First, make no mistake about it, things are just as unpleasant at Kennedy Airport in New York, where you came from as they are at Suvarnabhumi here in Thailand. For example, you say that when you arrived, that a bunch of illegal taxi drivers let out a chorus of hisses to get your attention (by the way, I've never had a Thai taxi driver hiss at me. They usually speak one at a time in broken English and repeat "Hey, where you go? Where you go?"). In New York's JFK airport, there are plenty of "illegal" taxi drivers who approach you and "hiss" at you to use their illegal taxis. In fact, the con taxi drivers in New York wait both outside and inside the terminals.

Second, in 20 years in Bangkok, no one has ever told me to "go back to where I came from", just because I declined to use their services. You claim a woman taxi driver said this to you. What did you say to her? Could it be possible that you said something highly offensive just because you had assumed that others were trying to take advantage of you? Maybe you were rude yourself? People do not normally react in such a hostile manner unless provoked.

Third, you say you took a shuttle bus from the airport to an empty dark bus station where you had to wait for another bus. Didn't you ask anyone for directions? And why were you taking a shuttle bus after 1am? The taxi fare from Suvarnabhumi to most places in and around Bangkok is about Bt250, compared to Bt1,500 from JFK to Manhattan - seven times less expensive here. Surely you could have splurged to take a legitimate taxi into the city, especially at that time of night.

Peter, you may travel often, but you have not learned a lot in your travels. Yes, there are a lot of scam artists everywhere - here, in London, and New York. But there are also a lot of rude travellers who are clueless when it comes to sensible travel. In future trips, I suggest you remember to bring your common sense and manners along.

OUTRAGED TAXPAYER

BANGKOK