Students should be ready for place in new Asean
A senior official and private company executives have urged the government to seriously prepare Thai students for changes in education following establishment of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.
Only limited numbers of Thai students at leading schools are now considered ready to embrace such changes, especially in collaboration and exchange with those in other Asean countries, said Chainarong Limpkittisin, managing director of Reed Tradex. He said the majority of students at over 10,000 small schools, in particular, needed serious care.
Assoc Prof Witaya Jeradechakul, director of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation Secretariat (SEAMEO Secretariat) pointed out that Thai students' weak points were English language and a diligent attitude to their studies.
"Our students are not as assiduous as Vietnamese students. We should instil [a serious approach to study] in them."
"Globalisation has created turning points - English now plays a more important role and it is the official language in Asean countries and a study says it will be the most important language over the next 30 years," Witaya said.
He urged the government to teach English as the second language instead of as a foreign one.
Witaya also recommended that the curriculum be changed - to knowledge and teaching about Asean and ideas of what it means to be strategic partners with other Asean countries.
Chainarong said it would take five to ten years to train English-language teachers to be fluent enough to teach more effectively. He urged for better use of technology, bringing teachers who can teach English well or native speakers into classrooms via online technology.
Thaneth Angkasirisan, general manager of Dell Corporation (Thailand), said Dell's connected classroom technology would link classrooms in different Asean countries.
More education related technologies will be showcased at Worlddidac Asia, an education material, media and technology event to be held from October 26-28 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
Teachers are invited to hear of fresh ideas and practices in educational development from international leaders at the Asia Education Leaders Forum to be held at the same place and time.
