Old guidelines on teachers’ ethics to get a revamp

AUTHORITIES are set to update the Teachers’ Ethics guidelines, which was first introduced in 1959.
“We need to bring these guidelines into line with today’s world,” Independent Committee for Education Reform chairman Charas Suwanwela said this week, adding that it would also be necessary to place an emphasis on safety issues. 
“We need to make it very clear what is allowed and what is prohibited at schools,” he said. 
Charas was speaking after attending a meeting with the Office of Education Council. 
“As teachers have influence and power over students, there is a risk that they may abuse their authority. So, we need to introduce measures that protect students’ safety,” he said. 
For instance, he said, teachers and students, especially those of the opposite sex, should not be allowed to spend time behind closed doors. 
Also, he said, teachers should not be given the authority to hit students. 
Watanaporn Ra-ngubtook, the office’s deputy secretary-general, said safety issues will be also integrated into the new guideline. 
Charas, meanwhile, said he has recommended education in the arts, in the hope that the educational system will not be too preoccupied with technology. 
“Students need to learn about art and humanities subjects,” he said. 
Assoc Professor Tisana Khammani, who chairs the panel working to update students’ competency, said her team had noticed that many students were still unable to apply their knowledge to real life. 
She said 10 new competencies have been identified as new guidelines for Prathom 1 to 3 students. 
“We have tested them at 24 schools already and have got a positive response,” Tisana said. 
These 10 competencies are Thai language for communication; mathematics in everyday life; scientific inquiry and scientific mind; English for communication; life skills and personal growth; career skills and entrepreneurship; higher-order thinking skills and innovation; media, information and digital literacy; collaboration, teamwork and leadership; and active citizen and global mindedness. 
“We need to shift from rote-learning and focus on being practical,” Tisana said, adding that this will help initiate big changes in Thailand’s educational sector. 
“We will also have a national curriculum and learning institute soon,” she said.