Schools should teach kids how to think

As Bertrand Russell noted, “Education should have two objects: 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.”

But, as Dr Olarn Chaipravat reports, “Our [education] system is all about one-way communication. Students have to memorise textbooks in order to pass exams, but they never learn to think.” If we are to hold our own in the region, we must completely overhaul the way our teachers and leaders view education, yet nothing in the government’s plans gives us hope. On the contrary, we have statements like “You can think, but don’t express your thoughts”, from Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan.

Prayut should focus on achieving the objectives set out by Russell, guided by the educators of our best universities. Give us graduates who can lead us further into the 21st century, not backward to the 19th.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok