Time to reform education: PM

His comments follow a call from Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha for relevant agencies to envision “good quality education that reduces inequality and caters to labour market demands”.

To support that goal the PM has ordered a database to be drawn up on the country’s labour market – with information that also forecasts future employment trends.

The Education Ministry, the National Statistical Office and the Office of National Economic and Social Development Board were told to complete the database – to provide the ministry with a “big picture view” of the labour market and make plans accordingly – in a month. At a meeting of the education “superboard” on Friday, Prayut told the ministry to improve education standards and implement what he had assigned them to do by the next academic year. 

Prayut, as the superboard chairman, appointed his deputies, ACM Prajin Juntong and Somkid Jatusripitak, as the superboard’s vice presidents. They have replaced Yongyuth Yutthawong and ADM Narong Pipatanasai in accordance with the Cabinet reshuffle. 

Kamjorn told a press conference on Friday that the superboard compared Thailand’s education system to other countries and resolved to focus on English-language communication skills, science, engineering and maths from the primary school level. 

He said many things would be fixed such as exam papers that contained more open-ended questions and improving the Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment.

He said reducing the time that pupils spend in classes – which will be begin today at 4,100 pilot schools – would result in students engaging in activities built around the “4H” concept – head, hand, heart and health. 

The scheme would be assessed continuously, starting with 300 “smart trainer” teams checking the pilot schools after the first two weeks. The remainder of the schools nationwide are due to join the scheme in the next academic year. 

In response to labour market demands for more vocational college graduates, Kamjorn said Prayut had assigned the Department of Skill Development to determine if skilled workers receive more money so adjustments can be made, if necessary.

NESDB secretary-general Porametee Vimolsiri said the joint public-private sector programme targeting vocational students would result in improvements in seven fields to meet labour demands and support national development plans. 

The areas are merchant marines; rail transport; the petrochemical industry; electricity generation; tourism; food safety technology; and the mould industry. 

Porametee said with full integration of the Asean Economic Community by year’s end, Thailand could become an education hub for member countries that need personnel trained in fields such as accounting and engineering.

Sansern said the PM also wanted higher education improved to meet development needs by focusing on producing workers to meet present and future economic and social conditions. Graduates must obtain excellence in accordance to an institute’s mission and goals. 

“The prime minister wants education reform to ensure all Thai children receive the best educational opportunities, learn happily and be developed using the 4H concept, while also being instilled with the pride of Thainess, self-reliance and a majority-benefit conscience,” he said. 

“Teachers and educational personnel should also be working happily and allow private sector participation in education management to strengthen the country’s economy while the government will support it [education] in accordance to the Pracharat state-people policy guideline.”