cops, soldiers, image, power, and education - Page 3 - Ajarn Forum

peelieorion · 26th November 2006, 16:55

A local university near me has 27 students but is not recognised by the government. of their 27 students 24 speak almost perfect English. Most of these people all from Isaan are working for less than 2000 baht a week. They have no opportunity to get government help, they learnt English through sheer hard work but their job prospects are nil. many of the rich here have plenty of land and they wear the trousers. Bangkok is not interested in developing Isaan as it will be a threat to the Status Quo. As long as Issan continues to send down its share of working girls and Tuk Tuk drivers everyone seems happy. The poor are not deliberately being kept down and controlled they are just not given any opportunity. they have no money to buy a job or buy a degree so many give up. This is a favour culture where those who have look after each other and the rest who have not are left with just enough to survive on. Sad but true

jonny danger · 26th November 2006, 17:11

My mate Simon married an Isaan gal he met in Suratthani. Lovely girl in all respects except one .. Isaan. No Surat Thai wanted anything to do with her. No ho by any stretch, hard working and decent. If Thais can't recognize good human qualities in their own, how could they ever do the same with us? Thailand is doomed to hickdom. Give them a mobile and credit and they think they've made it. They can attribute their modernity in the World by borrowing the dosh it takes to own Western paraphernalia, never to consider there is more to it than that.

Where I attended university the institution was a normal school but ten years prior. One of the many requirements they needed was to have on hand one million books in their library. What nerve Rajabaht has to give themselves the title. What was their requirement? I worked there during the title change. Business as usual, passing failed students, being ordered to give final exams to students who never once** showed up for class.

Asper · 26th November 2006, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by peelieorion

Most of these people all from Isaan are working for less than 2000 baht a week.

They're full-time students earning 8,600 per month part-time?

Not shabby, I'd say.

keeshou · 26th November 2006, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sanuk Canuk

They may be inept, they may be misguided, they may be somewhat corrupt but I doubt that they want to outright undermine the development of their own country

That's mostly because they don't see it as undermining their country, but making sure that there are people who respect their superiors. The concept that education is to give students the ability to think for themselves, Doesn't seem to be shared here in Asia and most definitely here in Thailand.

Umbuku · 26th November 2006, 19:02

Thai nepotism is almost a theocracy of worshiping superiors that is cultivated both at schools and in the workplace. This constant kowtowing is a drag on acknowledging new ideas and creative and innovative thought. They will always be two steps behind the first world until they recognize the benefits of meritocracy.

SunsetSam · 27th November 2006, 02:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny danger

Did the hot dog kart lady come running over?

OK perhaps I expect too much from some people. I really wasn't looking for intense dialect from the locals more just an idea of how informed and involved they are. I should comment that my observations regarding LOS are limited to having spent 3 vacations there, the last of which was just last month.

peelieorion · 27th November 2006, 07:43

They're full-time students earning 8,600 per month part-time?

6,800 baht a month plus they have to pay for their course. These are people who speak write and read better English than 99.99% of this country, who have learnt through reading and speaking to Ferrang not through the Thai education system. These people are intelligent and deserve better and opportunity. If I open a small school here they will be the first people I employ. They could survive in the West but here their skills are wasted.

DunceCap · 27th November 2006, 09:39

peelieorion, if the university is not recognized by the Thai government, are they recognized at all, even by another system.

Are they a rogue school, claiming tertiary education? more about the school, please.

it sounds interesting. Maybe Thailand needs more of this type of school. What type of degrees does the school grant?

peelieorion · 27th November 2006, 19:19

The university in questions F.G.CC had a rather eccentric director who diagreed with the Government curriculum and was a big anti thaskinite. He devised his own curriculum and was a regular speaker on Thai T.V against what he saw as an unimaginative currulum. Apparently he had an American education. anyway Thaksin took away whatever qualification you need to get into Thai university and as a result only a limited number of students stayed leaving them with a lot of contracted teachers and very low class sizes. Still all the students I meet are confident in speaking as this I believe was a big requirement of their course. They speak informal English and lucky enough for them now, some volunteer organisations are beginning to use their expertise. There is no one bar couple of people I have met in Nongkhai with as good English as these students given that the vast majority come from small villages around Nongkhai. they still have good links with an American university who send over students on cultural programmes. These students are smart but without the finance they return to their villages to teach and without a degree start on a paltry salary. All pretty sad

jonny danger · 27th November 2006, 19:23

I'd work for that school.