Education getting too expensive, parents say
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In addition to the rising price of everyday goods, parents are now complaining about education costs being much higher. Many say the government's much-heralded free 15-year compulsory education scheme virtually doesn't exist.
Apart from having to foot higher fees and other expenses, parents are still allegedly required to pay “tea money” to get their children into prestigious schools.
Anya-orn Phanichphuengrat, chairwoman of Family Media Watch, said the so-called 15-years of free education was not really free. Parents still had to pay extra for supplementary classes, extra English-language courses and even fees for air-conditioning.
“Parents have no choice but to find extra money before schools reopen for the new semester [in a week’s time],” she said.
A parent, who asked not to be named, said she spent nearly Bt40,000 to get her child into Grade 7 at a well-known demonstration school. The money was allegedly for regular school supplies and uniforms, as well as other things such as lunch and life insurance. “All I got back from the government was Bt3,900,” she said.
Uniforms alone cost around Bt5,000, she said, adding that the Bt360 government subsidy for uniforms was only considered a “discount” by most vendors.
The government’s subsidy for uniforms is Bt300 for pre-school level, Bt360 for primary, Bt450 for lower secondary and Bt500 for upper secondary levels, while school supplies are subsidised at a rate of Bt200 for pre-school level, Bt390 for primary, Bt420 lower secondary and Bt460 for upper secondary.
The woman added that schools held “charity events” throughout the year during which parents were “expected to cooperate” with requests for donations.
She explained that even some staff members could not afford to send their children to the school despite being granted employee discounts.
Kijwiphat Phoolsombat, whose two children are due to enrol at Ramkhamhaeng Demonstration School, said while the admission cost was Bt35,000, this was worthwhile because it ensured a bright future for them. He explained that though the government subsidy would be useful for poor parents, the amount offered was not enough to cover the cost of uniforms and school supplies for his children.
Jirapha Anantrojwong said she had not paid that much for her son, a Grade 11 student at Triam Udom School, as it was a state school. However, she admitted she had to spend extra on tutorial classes, which were necessary for students to pass university entrance exams.
Sunantha Pholphote, whose son is at Assumption College, said she could afford the Bt70,000 fees per semester, adding that she wanted her son to become fluent in English language. And while the subsidy was low, she said it would be useful for needy parents.
