It is looking that way, and I'm sure Jingjoes observations of the attitudes of younger wealthier Thais to the education of their children is correct.Dr Mike wrote:One more barrier being erected to keep the poor in their place. Teach children from wealthy homes English but no effort in govt schools.
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But first - it could be years before that new wave of kids, who are properly taught English, are ready for the workplace and all that entails in the Asean Community. They are the kids who would be best placed anyway for the kind of jobs with companies, or Government Departments, which will surely be at the cutting edge of business with other Asean members?
Yes that does exclude hundreds of thousands of potentially bright youngsters who could potentially climb the ladder given the chance, and we all know that will happen.
But do we really want to see Thailand end up in a similar situation to the UK? University places for all - great - and where are the jobs for the graduates?
All well and good improving the education system. Give all Thai schoolchildren the opportunity to learn a second language if they want to. But don't expect them all to strive to be fluent, or to be very interested in the Asean Community, or to want anything more than to be able to get by.
Thailand will get wherever it wants to be in it's own sweet time, and I kind of like it that way.