In short, people know what they want. Yet, the country’s political instability over the past decade and the governments’ preoccupation with day-to-day politics have failed to prepare the populace for what is to come.
But even without divisive politics, ordinary folk still don’t have much chance of seeing equitable benefits from the AEC, due to the inequitable education system and the Education Ministry’s fierce resistance to reform.
Much has been said about the consistently poor teaching of English. But poor English is only a small part of the problem created by the authoritarian and ultra-nationalist Education Ministry.
Let’s face it. Many of the problems that will hinder Thailand’s smooth regional integration come from the wrong ideas the education system puts into people’s heads. For example, the myth of Thailand’s racial homogeneity and ultra-Thai nationalism. Lack of respect for different ethnic identities has led to eight years of southern violence. Ultra nationalism will continue to hurt relations and escalate conflicts with our neighbours.
In his recent speech at the Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Surin Pitsuwan stressed the importance of education reform if Thailand wants to enjoy AEC benefits. Firstly, accept cultural pluralism. Secondly, stop rote learning, encourage independent thinking, flexibility, and the ability to explore and readjust.
Similarly critical of the education system, historian Thongchai Winichakul also stressed the need for national Thai history to free itself from hyper nationalism which
In short, people know what they want. Yet, the country’s political instability over the past decade and the governments’ preoccupation with day-to-day politics have failed to prepare the populace for what is to come.
But even without divisive politics, ordinary folk still don’t have much chance of seeing equitable benefits from the AEC, due to the inequitable education system and the Education Ministry’s fierce resistance to reform.
Much has been said about the consistently poor teaching of English. But poor English is only a small part of the problem created by the authoritarian and ultra-nationalist Education Ministry.
Let’s face it. Many of the problems that will hinder Thailand’s smooth regional integration come from the wrong ideas the education system puts into people’s heads. For example, the myth of Thailand’s racial homogeneity and ultra-Thai nationalism. Lack of respect for different ethnic identities has led to eight years of southern violence. Ultra nationalism will continue to hurt relations and escalate conflicts with our neighbours.
In his recent speech at the Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Surin Pitsuwan stressed the importance of education reform if Thailand wants to enjoy AEC benefits. Firstly, accept cultural pluralism. Secondly, stop rote learning, encourage independent thinking, flexibility, and the ability to explore and readjust.
Similarly critical of the education system, historian Thongchai Winichakul also stressed the need for national Thai history to free itself from hyper nationalism which
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