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The
language of instruction at universities is Thai, with the
exception of the economics major courses at Thammasat
University, which are conducted in English. Special courses
given in English are arranged for foreign students at the
discretion of the university. Scholarships are provided by the
government and private sector for outstanding and needy students.
In
addition to conventional universities, two open universities
have been established to expand educational opportunities for
working people and secondary school graduates. One of these,
Ramkhamhaeng University, provides campus instruction in Humanity
Science, supplemented by television and radio programs, while
the other, Sukhothai Thammatirat Open University, employs
television and radio programs as well as correspondence courses
and cassette tapes. The latter is said to be the most modern and
best-equipped open university in South East Asia.
Not
all of the institutes at the higher education level come under
the responsibility of the Office of University Affairs. The
Police Cadet Academy at Sampran District, for example, is under
the supervision of the Police Education Bureau, whereas
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy at Kao Chajok is both
academically and financially the responsibility of the Institute
of Army Academies of the Ministry of Defence. such academies
offer certificates equivalent to the Bachelor's Degree to their
graduates, who go on to serve as police or military officers.
Education beyond the Bachelor's Degree level is also available
for military officers. The Armed Force Staff College is reserved
for high-ranking officers at the administrative level who wish
to pursue special training in military planning and
administration.
Education
at the degree level is also extended to Buddhist monks as well.
There are two Buddhist universities, Maha Chulalongkorn
University, established with the approval of the Ecclesiastical
Elders' Council and budgetary support from the Department of
Religious Affairs, Ministry of Education.
Outlook
for Thailand in the Seventh Plan
Thailand
has undergone rapid changes during the last two decades. The
pace in likely to continue or even accelerate during the period
of the Seventh National Economic and Social Development Plan
(1992-1996). Thailand is being transformed from an
country to an agro-industrial or even an industrialized country.
Thai society is changing from being a traditionally rural one to
an urban society. Thai people are faced with these changes to
which they must adapt themselves. Therefore they need the kind
of education that prepares them adequately for new demands and
new lifestyles. The current basic education of six years must be
extended to materials and other electronic media such as
computers and television will play an increasingly significant
role in an educational system that is becoming more flexible and
accessible to everyone at all levels and at all times. The
existing learning network must be expanded to attain a national
coverage. There must be more decentralization of administrative
power and more public or local participation in developing the
curriculum to suit the needs of each locality. These are the new
dimensions of education for the future. |
