How are things at a Thai school?
Grade 1 or Prathom Suksa 1 students in Chiang Mai (SHOW DANUCHOT / Shutterstock.com)
Do you know what a Thai school day looks like? What are the children learning and what kind of atmosphere is there? Let me sketch a global picture of primary and secondary school in Thailand. I leave the kindergarten Anuban (อนุบาล, à-nóe-baan) and secondary education (technical school, university) undiscussed.
Primary School: Prathom 1-6
The primary school we call Prathom (ประถม, prà-thǒm), has 6 grades and is for children from 7 to 12 years old. Participation is compulsory, but the state schools are free. Books, uniform and the like must be paid for yourself, which can be a problem for the poorest. Report marks usually use the system 0 to 4, where 0 is a fail. Repetition is rare, tests can be repeated or tutored in the summer school. Just like in the Netherlands, there is 1 teacher who teaches (almost) all subjects. Each class therefore has its own teacher and its own classroom.
The Secondary School: Matayom 1-3 and 4-6
The Matajom (มัธยม, má-thá-jom) is for children aged 13 to 18 and split into two. The first 3 years are compulsory but free if one attends a state school. The other 3 years are voluntary and in preparation for further education. Here too you have to book, uniform and pay such costs yourself. Grades and sitting down are also the same as on the Prathom. There are separate teachers for the various subjects, and in most schools the students change classrooms.
(tawanroong / Shutterstock.com)
The school year
The school year starts at the beginning of May, with a short break at the end of September, and continues from the beginning of October until sometime in March. Between the end of March and the beginning of May, the hottest period, there is almost two months of summer vacation. A school day starts at 8 am and then all the children line up for the singing of the national anthem and hoisting of the flag. Believers also mutter Buddhist prayers, shout the school logo together and listen to a teacher give a talk about ethics. Then people go to class in rows (take off your shoes at the door!) and the children take a seat behind their table. These are often arranged in rows, but it happens that the tables are in groups as we know it. An average class has 30 to 50 children. When the teacher enters, all the children stand up to welcome them, then they can sit down again. School usually lasts until 15.30 pm, but with extra (after-school) classes it can run to 17.00 pm or even later.
Uniform and hairstyle
Children should be clean and orderly. They wear a uniform and the hairstyle must meet certain rules. The uniform, haircut, nails and ears must be neatly groomed and clean, which is also checked. Notorious are the old-fashioned hairstyle rules from 1972 that various schools still adhere to. Those rules mandate a very short, militaristic haircut (which historian Nidhi Eoseewong says has its roots in the Japanese occupation and head lice problems). Not all schools are so strict, as the rules have been relaxed since 1976 (and that was reconfirmed in 2013 and 2020).
Punishment
In addition to sometimes old-fashioned rules, there are sometimes also teachers from the old Thai school: they personally put the scissors in too long haircuts as punishment. Pupils even have to undergo personal humiliation, the teacher shaves them as a punishment (or lesson?) a strange haircut or hangs a sign with a warning text around their neck. Students who misbehave or have been 'stupid' can sometimes also be abused or humiliated by the teacher.
And even if it is not formally allowed: on social media there are even videos of children being slapped or similarly corporal punishment. Fortunately, there are also very passionate, warm teachers, but many students describe the average teacher as aloof robot and old-fashioned. 'If we don't listen, the teacher will throw things at us' is not an unprecedented thing for Thailand.
The way of teaching
Teaching is mainly one-way traffic: the teacher reads aloud, the children say or copy. Learning mainly means stamping and repeating rows. The textbooks are also full of repetitions. There is no questioning or discussing back and forth. Children have to listen and obey, their head must be lower than the teacher's at all times. If a child comes to the desk, the child will have to kneel as a token of awe/respect. Before leaving and entering the classroom, a student must ask permission from the teacher.
Own initiative and spontaneity is certainly not encouraged. It is important that the children learn respect for authority: respect and awe for the parents, teacher and other people higher up the ladder. Children learn to adopt the correct physical and mental attitude. How to perform a correct Wai (folding the hands together at the correct height), making a Kraab (กราบ , kràab, prostrate yourself at someone's feet) and other correct behaviors. Having discipline and knowing your place are extremely important.
The Curriculum
At both Prathom and Mathajom, the children are taught from eight different learning areas. Naturally, this starts very simply in the first grades and the students will deepen and specialize in (certain) subjects throughout the school years. The learning areas are:
- Thai language
- Math
- Natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, etc.)
- Social studies, religion and ethics (incl. culture, economics, history, geography)
- Health and sports
- Arts (visual, music, drama)
- Professions and technology (design and technology, ICT, vocational training)
- Foreign languages (e.g. English or Chinese)
The content of the textbooks is often black and white, complicated, technical and deadly boring. The highly theoretical content is far from life in practice. Memorization of relatively complex material is encouraged. It is very practical for the children to work by the book, to follow the procedures strictly, to learn by heart and not to think about it.
(Cat Act Art / Shutterstock.com)
Social studies
Thailand and Buddhist culture are central to the Thai school. Of course the children learn the right Thai norms and values. The image of (moral) society is rather simplistic: you either belong to it or you don't at all. Good behavior prevents loss of face and contributes to the image of the group. If everyone acts right in the family, in school and in society, then the nation remains free from problems.
Children learn that the family is the cornerstone of society and that one should self-efface or make sacrifices for the benefit of family, society or the majority. Father and mother are the source of the highest goodness, even though parents sometimes express it in ways that children do not (or cannot) understand. Children have to show their gratitude to the parents. They have to help their parents, help in and around the house, uphold the good name of the family and take care of their parents in case of illness or old age.
History lesson
Naturally, Thai textbooks also deal with matters such as the Stone Age, ancient world empires (eg the Chinese empire) and internationally most famous or infamous persons (eg a Gandhi and Hitler). But for the most part, the focus is on one's own past. According to the school books, it started from the Sukhothai era with its powerful warlord kings. All kinds of powerful, paternal kings who presided over the glorious kingdoms of Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok pass in review. Rebellious vassal states were ungrateful rebels. From the distant past to the present, the country has many noble monarchs who have always selflessly devoted themselves to the people, Buddhism and the country. Without kings, no Thailand is the message.
The motto is 'nation, religion, king'
The Ministry of Education sees the most important goal as providing students with the right knowledge, ethics and morality. This is how people will find their way in society. That comes together in the motto 'nation, religion, king'. You will also encounter this text on the walls of various government institutions. The nation stands for national unity, togetherness and pride.
Religion (Buddhism) gives the right morality and connects the people. The kings have achieved so much throughout history and always with the best intentions for the land and people. No king without country, no moral compass without religion, no connecting father without king. Without these three pillars, the country would unravel into division and fall. Be a good citizen because good behavior leads to acceptance, reward, love and progress. Bad behavior leads to negativity, loss, illness or even death.
Grade 6 students at the Satitpatumwan School in Bangkok (noppasit TH / Shutterstock.com)
Bad school results
In Prathom 6, Mathajom 3 and Mathajom 6, various final tests are taken; the most important of which is O-Net (Ordinary National Education Test). Over the years, on average, the students fail for practically all (!) exam subjects. It should be noted that the figures differ greatly per region (and school). The results are highest in Bangkok and the north of Thailand, while elsewhere - in particular the Isaan - a lot lower.
Are the kids dumber there? No, factors such as the socio-economic status of the parents, the family situation at home, the accessibility of the school, encouragement and motivation of the child, the resources and freedom that a school has available (read: shortage of) are of influence.
There is also a lot to be said about the quality of the final tests; the exams are sometimes quite strange. To cite a notorious example, take this question from the Mathajom 6 exam from the Healthcare course:
“What should you do if you are sexually aroused?
- Call your friends to play a game of soccer
- Go talk to your family
- Trying to sleep
- Dating someone of the opposite sex
- Invite a good friend to watch a movie”
The correct answer is A, 17-18 year olds should start playing football when their hormones are acting up. The more obvious solution for boys (let alone girls) is missing… You can also ask yourself whether this question is related to health or whether it asks about the correct morality around sexual behavior.
Life at school summarized
The average class ends up repeating boring, dry facts endlessly. Stamping facts without clear practical applications. The content is one-sided, black and white, nationalist and royalist. Pupils learn to know their place in society, take good care of themselves, have discipline, and be proud of their country, faith and king. There is no questioning or critical thinking. What makes school fun are the classmates and with a bit of luck the teacher is not a robot but a flesh and blood human being with a passion for his/her profession.
When will these not exactly favorable conditions change? The kids deserve better!
Main sources:
- “Thai Images: the culture of the public world”, by Niels Mulder, 1997, Silkworm Books.
- Richard Barrow: Life in a Thai school
- Bangkok Post: Disappointing Scores
- ThaiWomanTalks: What's hair got to do with child rights?
- ThaiWomanTalks: Ridiculous O-net Questions
- Isaan record: Inequalities between Bangkok, Upper North and rest of Thailand
- Basic Education Core Curriculum 2008
- Contact with various Thai acquaintances.
A nice summary as I also see it with my daughter.
Especially now with one week of learning at home and another week at school.
Google class is only used to pass on homework. (mainly copying books)
Last week before the student demonstration, the police came to tell us not to go.
Would be bad for your future chances and possibly have consequences after arrest.
Rather, they were asked to be good Thais.
Very recognizable description of education.
What really bothers me is the fact that there is no interaction between the teachers and the parents. I have experienced 3 schools with regard to the children for whom we are responsible. The teachers feel too high in relation to the parents. Parents are referred to Facebook for information!
In and in sad actually, that's why it will be a long way to real democracy and a better life for the simple Thai.
Nice piece Rob V.
Indeed it could all be better but some things can perhaps be viewed from a different angle.
In a country without a special social safety net, the family with the hierarchy that reigns as the cornerstone or useful can be very useful to absorb the blows of life.
Puberty is known for pushing boundaries, but in my opinion it goes a bit far to constantly go into conclave with your 7-year-old child about what is and what is not possible.
Man is a herd animal and not a troublemaker. In addition, regularity and clarity are often very desirable to prevent the stress level from becoming too high. Work is no different than repeating the same ritual and I have yet to meet the first Thai under 40 who has a burnout.
Children deserve better, but it starts with the parents who bring them into the world and shifting responsibility to the government (is the (wage) taxpayer) is very easy.
Due to Covid, we had short-time work and only had to work a few days a month. You might think that you could improve your knowledge of English online, which is widely used with us, unfortunately peanut butter but playing games was much more important. Taking personal responsibility does not have to be learned and I would go too far to say that it has been unlearned.
I will never forget the comment of one of my teachers. You are not in school to please the teacher but to make yourself better. If stamping contributes to this, then so be it and after that you go your own way. At school you learn basic things, but life determines how it goes on.
In short; how do I turn children into a herd of willing slaves (because that is my (read your) economic and psychological interest). But yes, I am a troublemaker. You may be able to spot me next winter wearing a T-shirt that reads:
respect and discipline are different things, even can be the opposite!
Indeed, in the recent student and pupil demonstrations, there was a banner that said:
You do not have to respect the Flag and the Nationaql Anthem but we have to respect Justice and Humanity.
I wouldn't dare do that. But that text I do dare; i told a friend. he said: soon there will be a secret agent behind you; sir, come with me…. well, then I think you don't really understand Thailand.
But hey, I'm just a tourist.
Hello, I forgot to mention something here, up to and including Matayom 6 no one stays back, no one has to repeat a year no matter how bad their grades are, because that is seen as a loss of face for the teachers...
Gr.
What I also thought happened is that the classes of the same grade are divided according to the speed with which students pick up the subject matter. Fast learners with fast learners, slow learners with slow learners.
Thank you Rob for this fascinating explanation. This gives me an even better picture of Thai society.
Without 50% fun, the children lose attention and don't absorb anything anymore. These are experiences of several acquaintances who teach primary and secondary schools.
Good story again, Rob V.!
My son attended a Thai primary school for 6 years. When I ask him what needs to be improved, he says, in short:
1 more money to the schools, but for sports fields, WiFi, theater
2 less lessons, less homework
3 referring to 1 : more sports, music, theater and art
4 a school committee consisting of students, parents and teachers.
5 stop insulting and humiliating students
6 more attention to poorly performing students, who are now almost forgotten.
Always learned at school, if you have not understood the material that has been explained, you can always go to the teacher and ask for some explanation, who will certainly not mind explaining it to me again in detail...
Unfortunately in Thai schools it is not done…..to speak to the teacher about this and so I have also been a part-time teacher at home in Isan for an explanation because it has something to do with face loss and that can be explained that the Thai teacher is not good is……
This Is Thailand….
TonyM
The teachers earn a nice extra money from refresher lessons after school and on Saturdays. If you cannot take the material within the regular hours, the question is, of course, why? Child, teaching material, the teacher, the time the teacher has per child, and sometimes there are even angry tongues behind it (more money for the teacher). Let's assume that there is no intention behind it, even then the child of a poorer family has a disadvantage, it cannot afford those extra lessons.
This is really not always the case, not even in the Netherlands. Our son (now 44) has always been a questioner. Always had to know the ins and outs. So also at school. He was quite gifted, so from grade school to Uni, always asking. Well, I can tell you that not all teachers like that. Because there are also many in the Netherlands who think that you should just swallow the material that is given
Unfortunately this sounds very familiar, I have also experienced this myself as an English teacher.
To add a little nuance to the comments, here's my story. My 2 children attend a large private school in the town of Korat. Many of the parents of the students there come from the middle class, work for the government or for companies and so on. I myself do not experience that at this school, with a Catholic basis, that the teachers show wrong behavior towards the students. And there is respect for and towards the parents because they are usually more successful, have more money and are therefore higher on the social ladder or. higher in Thai class society and that is also reflected in the courtesies towards the parents, most of whom I suspect are more educated than the teachers themselves. And, of course, the parents ultimately pay the teachers' salaries. And so there are several private schools in the city and even in the larger villages you already have a distinction between private and government schools. It's not all so gloomy I just want to point out and many children are educated in a positive environment.
What I think is a plus is that there is a lot of attention for sports, musical and creative development and the private school is active in organizing day excursions and programs. I feel considerably more than in the Netherlands. My youngest, who is not yet 3 years old and had just been at Anubaan/kindergarten for a few weeks, was already introduced to the “garden”. And there are swimming lessons with their own swimming pool and many schools are active in encouraging music education and performances. In my previous hometown of Khon Kaen, school children regularly performed publicly in the TonTan entertainment area with a stage with all kinds of performances from hip hop to classical music, and competitions were also held with other schools. At her young age, my daughter has already given various dance performances and Thai performances at various public locations. I experience that there is more attention for the creative side of schoolchildren in Thailand. I also know a boy closely who, thanks to his good sports background, was given the opportunity to attend a school that was not normally accessible to him, a bit of an American idea.
On the other hand, I think the homework is something, but yes, I think that is typically Asian, my daughter started homework at the age of 4 and now she is just in the 1st of Prathom and has to do a lot of homework every day. Already at the anubaan / kindergarten there was a report twice a year and the progress was indicated expressed in percentages to 2 decimal places and she had to make the tests which are taken in a period of 2 weeks.. So they are very performance-oriented at the school and I think it is a positive thing and parents can follow the progress well. At the end of the Mathajom, the school also publishes those who go on to the various university courses and that is a good incentive and a signal to the parents to show that the children are ultimately successful in their education. Even during the corona period when the school was closed, (limited) lessons were given via the internet, well that for a child of just 2 years old that they already feel at home in that, I also find it positive, although today's children already know how in their 6nd year of life operate the phone and internet/games.
Many teachers have a job as a private tutor in addition to regular school hours to help children who are behind or simply want to get ahead or expand their knowledge with extra lessons. Personally know quite a few teachers/teachers and am therefore a bit initiated in the world of education.
indeed, the private Catholic schools are in my opinion a lot better than the state schools. Very good experience here in Phetchabun. Also have school on Saturday. Still, I have to conclude that the level is not very high and can be improved.
@Ger Korat,
My son is also in a competitive school and there the same policy as you describe. The more expensive private schools pretend that the children there will become the leaders of the future. That is of course always the question, but that messing around is of little use cannot be hammered in too early. 15 years of study determines income for 45 years.
A small thing for the parents, because the investment is their pension premium.
Dear Ger-Korat (and Johnny BG),
It is good for you and your child(ren) that you have the means to allow them to attend an education at a private educational institution.
Would you mind giving us a (preferably detailed) overview of the annual costs involved?
I also ask other readers to share this here, so that the reader gets a better insight into the (im)possibility for the majority of Thais - incomes of less than ฿10.000 / month - to give their children a decent education.
The fact that the somewhat wealthier Thai and foreigner prefer to send their children to private schools tells me enough about the quality of education in public schools.
Excellent contribution. What is not mentioned is the communal consumption of the meal. Sometimes of inferior quality because the money available for this ends up in other pockets.
And the after-school care and help with homework; this is left to the grandparents who have hardly received any education themselves. Where certain subjects, such as sexual education, are undiscussable. Children who sometimes only see their parent(s) at weekends or even during holidays. Some topics, although mentioned in the list above, are hardly explored in depth. If you ask children about their provinces in Thailand, they can only name their own and Bangkok. Not to mention countries outside South Asia, Europe, the USA and England, but where are they located on the globe?
Fortunately, the government does indeed make money available for lunch. Unfortunately, this does not benefit the students in all cases, but on the other hand, many schools do everything they can to serve a good meal, for example by growing vegetables on the school grounds.
Often/sometimes meals are prepared by the teachers themselves and teachers are now taught how to prepare a nutritious meal during their training.
Wonderful, the Netherlands can take a step further.
Fred
Do you really mean to say that the Dutch education is inferior to the Thai one???
Everyone in a tight line, strict teachers, the national anthem at the flag, nationalism in civics and censored history lessons… How certain politicians (I will not name names) will feast on this…
Thank you Rob V., for the valuable information. What may also be mentioned is that teachers make home visits, even during the corona period. I see that as a positive.
I don't know if that applies to the whole of Thailand though.
What I see in many Thai young people is a lack of ambition, wanting to move forward in society, striving for a higher place on the ladder. Am I seeing that right? And if so, does that also stem from the education system?
@Cornelis,
Mindset is key.
I was able to make people millionaires and every time it hit me that a certain income was enough.
Frustrating for me because I also had a part in it but if it is then so be it.
The question may be why short-sightedness is preferred in many decisions when it is not the case at all when it comes to children.
Cornelius,
Do you know the saying: It's not what you know but who you know.
In Thailand, this is superlative. This too is a remnant from feudal times of nobles and serfs. The Thai education system is proof that this mentality still pervades policy-making circles.
The chance of turning a dime into a quarter in Thailand is very small.
@Johnny BG: Also the ideology of 'Sufficiency Economy' propagated by the previous king is not exactly an encouragement to earn more money than necessary.
Thanks for this article, which is a disappointment though. I've wondered all these years; how do they do it, instilling such respect in their people. Or would it be discipline? Unfortunately I'm out of the dream now.
Thanks, a nice insightful article. It is true that the quality of education varies widely. When I see what my friend's nieces and nephews are learning in Charoen Sin, it is very sad. In fact, they don't learn anything at all. I am talking about anuban and prathom. They play, eat and sleep. The few things they learn are extremely basic. My girlfriend had the matajom thon and the matajom plaai. But the fact that 7×8 is 56 is not at all obvious to her and her geographical knowledge is mind-boggling. In fact, the whole concept of multiplication tables means nothing to her.
It does not surprise me at all that there is someone who believes that Thai education is better than Dutch education. Thai education is (reasonably) good where it is paid and this is how you maintain class. The poor hardly receive any education and the hiso keeps a tight rein on things. Anyway, I have learned that blessed are the simple-minded and it often seems that way in Thailand. Most Thais are cheerful, at least the low-dressed Thais.
is there/here also someone who can tell something (from experience) about the HBO (level)…?
Sincerely,
Onno
Top article! Always nice to know how normal life is in Thailand. I read this with great interest 🙂