But here in Thailand, the education system does not encourage students to show their capabilities. It is seen that the teacher is at the center of the learning process. Some teachers stick to the traditional teaching style with everything moving around the teacher’s desk and the blackboard in the classroom. The “chalk and talk” style relying solely on lectures and rote memorization with limited subjects prescribed in the curricula and no alternative available seems to be ineffective. It has discouraged the development of creativity and individuality among students at all levels particularly elementary and secondary school students.

As a matter of fact, a more diverse and flexible education system, truly conducive to developing the innate potential of each individual through the cultivation of creativity and individuality must be developed.

“Learner-oriented” or “student-centered” education can best be promoted through an open educational system which provides maximum freedom, the widest possible choice of subjects and the greatest possible diversity of educational content.

According to the National Education Act B.E. 2542, learning reform is at the heart of all concerned. As stated in Section 22, “Education shall be based on the principle that all learners are capable of learning and self-development, and are regarded as being most important. The teaching-learning process shall aim at enabling the learners to develop themselves at their own pace and to the best of their potential”.

In organizing the learning process, educational institutes and agencies concerned need to provide substance and arrange activities in line with the learners’ interests and aptitudes, bearing in mind individual differences. Training must also be offered to cultivate the thinking process in order to face varied situations and be able to solve a variety of problems in different environments. For learners to fully reap the rewards of their studies, they must be exposed to authentic situations with practical work.

Equally important is the need to engender productive habits such as reading, as a means to create a continuous thirst for knowledge.

For the instructors, it is essential to disseminate a balanced integration of subject matter, integrity, values and desirable attributes. They must be able to create the ambience, environment, instructional media, and facilities for learners to learn and be all-round persons, able to benefit from research as part of the learning process. In so doing, both learners and teachers may learn together from different types of teaching-learning media and other sources of knowledge. The media themselves naturally extend to the actual learning place. Cooperation with parents, guardians, and all parties concerned in the community should be sought to help develop students in accord with their potential.

Learning reform is “must” and a “you can do now” mission, no further legislation or regulations are required. The teacher is the key to academic reform. The reform of learning method shall be in parallel with that of the teaching. Quality teachers must be keen to motivate students and foster a personal approach to their own effective strategies of learning with the creation of an environment in which all students are encouraged to excel in whatever they undertake.

Since 1997, ten “national” teachers and 126 “master” teachers have been carefully selected by the Office of the National Education Commission (ONEC) for their knowledge of teaching and their sensitivity to the needs of students.

Also, the Ministry of Education under the leadership of H.E. Somsak Prisananantakul is now launching a program entitled “mentor” teacher in parallel with the two projects of ONEC in order to have a greater amplifying effect which is expected to have “mentor teachers” approximately 30,000 next year. The mentor teachers will learn the teaching methodology from national and master teachers through cooperative workshops and close supervision to ensure common goals and directions.

“Student-centered” is a teaching-learning method which requires a systematic and exhaustive preliminary, employing proven teaching techniques and varied activities. The mission is not too difficult to be achieved. At least, hundreds of nation, master and mentor teachers are playing active roles to assist, give advice and be the role models for teachers all over the country to have thorough grounding in the theory and practice of the ideal educational system. Ultimately, the learning reform will create Thais who are more attuned and qualified to meet the needs of the country with better characteristics and enjoying an approved quality of life.

Published on Friday 3rd, December 1999 : THE NATION