Blog 4: With No Accountability, What Reform?

In “With No Accountability, What Reform “article Thailand are facing many problems with reforming their schools.  On international test such as PISA, Thailand did poorly compared to its neighboring countries such as Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan.  There are many reasons why Thailand’s education cannot be reformed.  One reason is because teachers are trying to complete so much paper work that they do not have a lot of time to teach the students.  Another reason is because no one is being held accountable for the success of the schools.  Although Thailand has put a lot of money into the reform, it will not be successful if no one is held accountable for the progress of students.  The article suggests that Thailand can begin to reform their education system.  The biggest suggest is that Thailand should invest in higher educated teachers. The only problem with this is if Thailand does not change their demand on paper work, then hiring higher educated teacher will not work because they will not have the time to spend teaching the students.  However, one must question then if the current teachers had enough time to teach would it be necessary for the country to hire higher educated teachers?

This becomes a social problem because as stated in the article teachers are enjoying their higher pay but students still cannot read, write, and think.  If students in this country cannot read, write or think yet are suppose to grow up and lead the country than how are they supposed to do this if they do not have basic education skills? Why are teachers getting paid more if students are not being taught?  This becomes a global problem because students in Thailand have to compete with other students internationally.  Thailand students are unable to compete because teachers do not have enough time within the day to teach, yet these students are held in the classroom much longer than any of their successful neighboring countries.  The article says that “what is happening clearly shows a quality gap between schools and the plans to improve have not reached all areas.” This is also a global problem because these schools are experiencing inequalities with in its own country.  I believe that it is going to take more than money and higher educated teachers.  I believe that someone should be held accountable.http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/278759/without-accountability-what-reform