Showing 1-10 of 54 results
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Get out of students' hair
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 27/11/2020
» Earlier this week, the debate over student hairstyle rules returned after Veera Khaengkasikarn, deputy permanent-secretary for education, uttered perhaps the most perplexing statement ever said in 2020 during an interview in Tham Throng Throng Kab Jomquan on Thairath TV.
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Stop Indoctrinating Kids With Backward Ways of Thinking
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/09/2021
» Tests for Thai students that unintentionally expose a backward way of thinking are nothing new. You can laugh them off as pathetic, embarrassing and archaic aspects of the Thai education system but, IMHO, they should be taken more seriously. They should not be part of the Thai education system whatsoever, especially in 2021.
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Hairy situation
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 10/07/2020
» Schools are back in session and so is the debate over the student hairstyle. A new batch of pictures of students whose hair got cut or shaved poorly against their will, as a form of punishment, by their teachers has been recently circulated online. We're probably getting another set once the next hair inspection day comes. Last Friday, student activists submitted a petition to the Ministry of Education asking for clarity over the hairstyle rule. You see, the ministry has already allowed students to wear their hair long so long as it's neat and complies with other conditions. However, a few schools still take it upon themselves to cut students' hair that they deem "inappropriate".
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Subject(s) (That) Matter
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 24/01/2020
» Two things that recently happened made me wonder about the definition of education in Thailand. First, a uni professor in Phitsanulok drafted a new course called "My Beloved Country" but the board rejected it, saying its purpose isn't in line with that of a general education course. The professor said his subject encourages students to "understand and appreciate their own values, as well as values of others, society, culture and nature". It sounds fine and dandy until you see his list of 18 guest lecturers consisting of controversial figures, some of whom are seen as aligning themselves with the government. So, if you disagree with them, would you be considered disloyal to Thailand or something? Second, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang ordered all schools under BMA to have their students sing the royal anthem after they sing the national anthem before classes every morning to remind them of Thailand's three pillars -- nation, religion and monarchy -- which I humbly think the kids are reminded of plenty already.
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#BehindTheHashtags
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 06/03/2020
» Many student protests that were partly set off by the dissolution of Future Forward Party over the past two weeks has also ushered in new hashtags into the lexicon of Thai social media. At the time of writing, it has been reported that there are 28 hashtags associated with campus protests. Some are humourous while others carry strong political stances and sharp gibes. Whether you agree with these students who've chosen to make their voices heard, it's better to get used to their protest hashtags as more student flashmobs are on their way (but many speculate that the designation of Covid-19 as a dangerous communicable disease may be used as a tool to suppress them). Not to mention, an online campaign calling for people to wear black on Fridays as a symbol to oppose dictatorship began last Friday.
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Uniquely Thai Logic
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/01/2020
» A school in Pathum Thani was recently exposed for having the controversial policy of gauging the loudness of students singing the national anthem. They were so serious about it that they divided the students into three categories, based on how loud they are: green, yellow and red. If a student is given green, then they pass. Yellow means they have to sing it twice. Red means they have to sing it thrice. WTF, you ask? This idea is supposed to measure how much students love Thailand. The louder they sing, the more patriotic they are. Simple logic. Of course, the school scrapped this unnecessary practice after receiving overwhelmingly negative feedback from the public. Simple logic, too.
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P(l)aying Respect
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 21/06/2019
» You should be well aware by now of the online brouhaha regarding phan wai khru, pedestal trays with flower arrangement, that come with a creative/political statement. The students usually offer these trays to the teachers as tokens of appreciation and respect on Wan Wai Khru (unofficially translates to Paying-Respect-to-Teachers Day) at schools. And they usually come decked out in a traditional style with specific types of flowers, which have beautiful meanings behind them.
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Dispensing Thainess
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 26/08/2022
» From Thai-style gashapons to a portable shrine in case you need spiritual uplift on the go, Thai culture has been a big inspiration to many product designers and makers who put creative spins and present Thainess in a contemporary way. Here's Guru's list of cool products inspired by Thainess.
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More Ways to Help
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 23/07/2021
» There are many ways to help people who've been affected by the current surge of Covid-19. While providing free meals and donating to hospitals and organisations are among the firsts that come to mind, there are other ways that you may not be aware of. Here are a few.
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Make Learning Fun
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 15/01/2021
» In the wake of the second wave of Covid-19 in Thailand, schools in 28 provinces have been ordered to close until Jan 31 and conduct online classes instead. One side effect that one may not see coming is that the new learning normal brings with it amusing and heart-warming stories from these online classes. Here are a few.
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