Abhisit aghast at lack of knowledge

Academics call on universities to help with reform, take charge of youngsters

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is quite worried about the country's educational system because students have lamentably poor knowledge in science, mathematics and English.

Speaking at a recent meeting of executives from medical schools, Abhisit said students had got alarmingly low scores during the recent Ordinary National Educational Test (O-Net).

"So many children got zero in maths, even though it was a multiple-choice test," he said. "I can't believe that our children can be this stupid."

He also said he found some science students from Chulalongkorn University were unable to do even the most basic of fractions.

"Thai children, in general, don't have a good command of the English language either. That's a weakness too," he said.

In a separate event yesterday, academics called on universities to take the country's ongoing educational reform seriously.

The reform is into its second decade.

"It will not be successful if everybody thinks that the reform is the sole duty of the Education Ministry. Everyone should lend a hand. Universities, in particular, should get involved for the sake of Thai children," Office of the Education Council secretary-general Tongthong Chandransu said.

Yongyut Yuttawong, who sits on the committee overseeing educational reform, said higher-education institutes should ensure that their courses suit employers' needs better. "The institutes should engage employers in designing their courses," he suggested.

He also emphasised that universities should instil morality and wisdom in their students.

"The spoon-feeding should be cut down and more focus should be placed on quality," he added.

Chainarong Intarameesap, another member of the panel, said teachers and university lecturers should be resourceful, responsible and morally sound because only such people could inspire students and set good examples.

He added that if the country wanted graduates who were fluent in English, then lecturers who are also proficient in the language should teach them.

Chulalongkorn University lecturer Sompong Jitradab, also a committee member, said the focus should also be on teachers at the pre-university level.

He said relevant authorities should introduce measures that stop teachers being preoccupied with pursuing higher academic ranks. Since higher academic ranks mean higher salaries, many teachers spend far too much time and effort on their studies rather than on their students.

"Schools should offer more |activity-based lessons as well," he said.