Govt must totally focus on education technology

An estimate that 70 per cent of the world population will have smartphones in three or four years is a sensible prediction. After all, by the end of this year, the numbers will edge closer to 50 per cent, which is very significant already. A lot of people will get smarter, as education can be boosted alongside the growth of mobile phone ownership. That some aspects of education will get easier does not mean policymakers can be complacent, though.
Thailand, one of the countries struggling with education, has always focused on human teachers when it comes to the quality of its schools. Access to good learning materials have been largely underrated. When it is not underrated, it is highly politicised, for good or bad reasons. A painful example is the former Pheu Thai government’s computer tablet project, which was embroiled in various controversies, with critics branding the scheme the “right” thing initiated to serve vested interests.
The poor choices for education minister are typical in this country, with the Cabinet portfolio often considered unwanted and given to the least-qualified candidates simply to please their factions.
It’s time for politics to make way for a real educational revamp. Children are living in a world where most learning materials are at their fingertips. School “text books” will get remarkably cheaper and “lighter”, as everything can be kept on one tablet, e-reader or handphone. In addition to “conventional” education content, digital education technology allows students to pursue special interests or maximise their talent or gifts.
It seems education is in for a big leap, particularly when considering the remarkable projection of smartphone penetration for 2020, when the device is expected to be considerably cheaper than today. The government, however, must be a willing and efficient facilitator. There have been attempts to provide cheap wi-fi accessibility but they are not sufficiently serious or prevalent. Perhaps a major stumbling block is the telecom sector, which has been gunning for the highest profits with lukewarm attention to poor children.
In a country willing to spend big on military purchases, a Bt100-billion education masterplan that takes advantage of technology should not be a problem. Even if it becomes more expensive, considerably fewer people will complain than did when the submarine purchase plan became public.
A smarter population certainly is of greater help to a country than military might, which can succumb to technological changes in the blink of an eye. 
Global competitiveness will revolve around countries that make the best use of technology in education. Applications are in place that can enable poor African kids to speak fluent English within months. 
According to some reports, smartphones are everywhere – in places such as the United Arab Emirates, Sweden, Switzerland and South Korea. As of last year, Thailand was ranked 31st in the world in terms of mobile phone penetration, with 40.5 per cent. 
The country is below Malaysia (64.1 per cent) but above Vietnam (26.4 per cent), the Philippines (23.3 per cent) and Indonesia (20.7 per cent).
More people using smartphones may be good news for telecom companies. Cheaper wi-fi access may not be. But to help Thai education, the latter must go along with the former, and it’s the government’s job to make it happen sooner rather than later. This is not something debatable, like electoral measures or even cheap transport for city people. The government has the financial resources, connections and political muscle to push through a technology-based education vision.