The Ministry of Education has launched the project “Thai Education toward ASEAN” to prepare Thai people for the implementation of the ASEAN Community, with an emphasis on human resource development.
Education Minister Admiral Narong Pipatanasai presided over the launching of the project on 26 January 2015 in Bangkok. Joining the ceremony were 700 officials, education personnel, and students.
Admiral Narong said that the Government was well aware of the arrival of the ASEAN Community in late 2015. One of the factors to achieve ASEAN integration involves human resource development. He stressed the need to equip Thai people with knowledge, skills, and self-immunity in preparation for the multicultural community of ASEAN. The people must improve the use of English and other foreign languages for efficient communication. They must also learn how to apply modern technology appropriately.
The Ministry of Education will emphasize preparations for a workforce both before and after ASEAN integration. Admiral Narong said that the Thai education system must develop analytical thinking and promote better understanding and morality in order to create good ASEAN citizens. Thai education must be developed further to international standards and respond to the labor demand, as well.
Admiral Narong said that the Ministry of Education will step up cooperation with other ASEAN partners and dialogue partners in education and student exchange, teacher development, and education management. He stated that the Thai Education toward ASEAN project would provide greater opportunities for Thai children and youth, as well as education personnel, to develop necessary skills and create education cooperation networks through various activities.
Permanent Secretary for Education Suthasri Wongsamarn said that Thai people have become more aware of the coming of the ASEAN Community, which offers both opportunities and challenges, whether they involve standard development, quality production, or labor mobility.
She said that the Thai Education toward ASEAN project is a process to translate the Government’s policy on ASEAN into action. It involves the organizing of a mobile learning unit traveling to all regions of the country to provide local people with better knowledge and understanding about ASEAN, especially the soon-to-be ASEAN Community.
Activities under the project include discussions on the topic “ASEAN Citizens and World Citizens for Sustainable Development.” Other activities include a workshop, an English speech contest, and an ASEAN exhibition.
The project began in Bangkok on 26-27 January 2015. It will be carried out in the North, the South, and the Northeast in February.