Education experts fear quality will drop as teacher exams made easier

12 Sept 02:03 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand will drastically simplify its teacher licensing exam to a single subject, "Professional Teaching," for specific cohorts (2019-2022 academic years), effective March 15.
This decision, driven by high failure rates in previous multi-subject exams (especially English), faces strong opposition from education experts who fear a significant decline in teacher quality and overall educational standards.
Alongside the simplified test, a new three-tier licensing system is being introduced, adding layers of requirements and potential confusion for aspiring teachers, while future cohorts (2023 onwards) will face a different two-subject exam.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.