During centuries in Thailand, most of schools (โรงเรียน - "RONG RIEN") were installed inside Buddhist temples. Monks were teaching pupils. Due to Dharma (ธรรม - teachings of the Buddha) rules, little girls did not have the opportunity to study and reach a high level. The only alternative was for boys. They had to enter the Sangha (สังฆ - Buddhist community) and then could study in the Bangkok Buddhist universities. Only since Rama V (1853 - 1910), school is mandatory for both boys and girls. Since that time schools are under the state rule. Schools are mandatory from age 6 up to 12.
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Many feasts happen in Thai schools such as Sport day,
Teacher's day, Children's Day, the Queen's day and so on...
The Children's Day features child-centred activities, most of which
were to encourage the creativity and skills of children as well as
to support the underprivileged. |
| Thai school feast |
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The first six years are called "PATHOM" (ปฐม). The last six years are called "MATHAYOM" (มัธยม). It is divided into two sections of three years.
Lessons in "PATHOM"'s first year focus on respect toward parents, a green world, to help each other, to take care about the forests, not to cut trees to avoid floods, to take care about public belongings, not to forget one's word, to respect Thailand, to listen to the parents, to dislike robbery, to read in order to have knowledge.
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Since the
1997 Asian economic crisis the number of children in
school have not diminished at all, it has even increased. Some
parents now realised that education is the most important thing.
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| Thai school |
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In poor rural area like "ISAN" (อีสาน - northeastern part of Thailand), many children used to stop going school even before twelve years old. Especially little girls because parents thought that the girl shall find a husband and therefore no education was necessary. Also in poor families children stopped learning in order to help their parents to make a living. Often the older sacrifices him-self to help the younger.
If their parents don't have enough money, the children cannot go to school. Sometimes parents cannot afford to purchase school uniforms - white shirts, blue trousers or skirts, white socks - and take their children out of school rather than lose face by having their child go to school without uniform.
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Holidays for children are of course
during summer. But in Thailand summer (or hot season) is during months
April and May.
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| Thai school |
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Teachers Day (วันครู) is an occasion for pupils to make merit for their teachers. Teachers are highly worshipped in Thailand for their knowledge. Pupils don't dare to embarrass their teachers. This day happens on the 16th january.
In year 1999 more transparence was asked about the Grade 1 entrance exam results. Some universities or private schools refuse to give them. Some say bribes allow entrance, no matter what test scores they achieve.
In february 1999 a revolution in Thai education was announced for year 2000. There shall be freedom of choice of subjects to study, and no more mandatory textbooks. The radical changes are to switch the emphasis from rote learning to developing creativity and a questioning mind.
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In Thai society children are
highly valued. In a bus, a person gives his seat to a child but not
necessarily to an old person. It is contrary of foreign view.
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| Thai school feast |
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Since the 25 march 1999 provisions for the state to provide 12 years of free basic education won the legislature's approval. Lawmakers agreed the state must provide free compulsory education for nine years, and another three years of free schooling for those who wish to further their studies. In 2001 teachers and school executives who succeed in changing their teaching methods to suit the new learner-centred education may be paid bonuses. Thailand's new syllabuses for 12-year compulsory education, which would be officially used in year 2002, emphasise understanding, not rote learning.
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