Learning reform and the future of Thai and regional education systems were the main focus of discussion at the Fifth UNESCO-ACIED International Conference, held in Bangkok recently under the theme: "Reforming Learning, Curriculum and Pedagogy: Innovative Visions for the New Century".

The conference, held at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel from December 13-16, was organized by UNESCO-ACEID in collaboration with the Office of the National Education Commission of Thailand (ONEC) with the assistance of the Hong Kong Institute of Education and Education Victoria. The conference looked into the reform requirements for learning, curriculum and pedagogy in all sectors of education and at all levels, as well as in particular branches of knowledge, as a means to promote a learning, outcome-based educational future.

The conference featured keynote addresses from regional education experts and academics, including an opening speech by H.E. the Prime Minister of Thailand, panel presentations from education administrators and Thai youth, and roundtable discussions in which conference participants addressed specific themes.

In his opening address, H.E. Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai emphasized the need for modernization and improvement in order to prepare for a future which is increasingly globalized, knowledge-based and competitive. "Education should provide our people with knowledge and skills, which form the core of our learning process," he said. "At the same time, education should provide our people with a general perspective on life, so that their minds are broadened and so that they can co-exist and live in harmony with others, irrespective of differences in their age, gender, faith or values."

In his speech, the Prime Minister pointed out that the administration and management of education in Thailand must also be decentralized and revamped, raising teaching standards and the competency of teachers to respond rapidly and efficiently to changing needs.

The concept of learning reform as perceived by several paper presenters is the shift from teacher-centered teaching to student-centered independent and efficient learning.

During roundtable discussions involving conference participants and a representative sample of Thai youth and children, a number of problems in Thai education were identified and solutions proposed to overcome these obstacles.

The main problems facing the Thai education system were identified as curricula, the learning-teaching method, quality of teachers, student problems, non-standardized educational criteria and freedom in writing of textbooks. The discussions concluded that the most important factors to the success of education reform would be the greater participation of teachers, students and parents in school administration and more effective curriculum development.

The thrust of education development should be directed more at the cultivation of creativity and a positive attitude toward learning, rather than rote leaning or fragmentary knowledge. Curricula must be focused on the cultivation of creative thought and the development of a healthy personality, while the range of obligatory subjects in elementary and secondary schools should be reduced in favour of a wider variety of optional or elective subjects. Oversized schools and crowded classrooms must be also be trimmed to a more appropriate size.

Equally important are the systems governing training, appointment, promotion and remuneration of teachers. These must be reformed with the aim of rewarding competent and dedicated teachers with moral integrity. As part of this reform, working conditions of teachers nationwide should be greatly improved.

The quality of education provided by schools nationwide should be adjusted to be on a parity with each other with individual institutes offering a more varied selection of subjects and competing with other schools in terms of the quality of education. To achieve these objectives, government expenditure on education must boosted while inefficiencies and waste are eliminated from the system.

For the long-term future of Thailand and its people, it is crucial to pursue global standards of excellence in education - not just for a select few but for all - so that all Thais can develop to their full potential alongside the nation itself.