OPINION: Calling anyone “nhoo” is not endearing, especially at work
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OPINION: Calling anyone “nhoo” is not endearing, especially at work
12 Sept 20:32Key points summarised by AI
"Nhoo" (หนู), meaning "mouse," is a Thai pronoun traditionally used to address young children endearingly, reflecting humility and politeness in hierarchical social contexts.
However, its use in professional settings, particularly towards women, is widely perceived as condescending and belittling, undermining their credibility and implying a subordinate or immature status.
Many working women and professionals strongly oppose being called "nhoo" at work, arguing it diminishes their worth, silences their voices, and hinders their ability to be perceived as equals, advocating for its removal to promote workplace equality.
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.