The Education Ministry has asked the United States’
Peace Corps for their assistance to improve the quality of bilingual
secondary schools, as the schools are facing a shortage of qualified
English teachers.
Sirikorn Maneerin, a deputy education minister said the
Ministry has requested assistance from the Peace Corps to develop the
quality of English in secondary schools, particularly bilingual schools.
Assistance will focus on the development of human resources, curriculum
and teaching aids.
Sirikorn said, “At the present, there are seven
bilingual schools. They lack competent foreign teachers and their
curriculum is not suitable. If the curriculum can reach international
standards and increase school enrollment all over the country, it will
lift the English education quality of Thailand.”
Athipat Kleesuntorn, deputy director-general of the
General Education Department said most foreign English teachers in
bilingual schools are American and English. He said the department has
instructed each school to select teachers who have real teaching and
communication skills. He said schools must not choose just anyone who can
speak English. The English courses need to be adjusted to suit the new
curriculum and each school can have their own content of courses.
The department’s policy is to support the opening of
more bilingual schools but will also depend on the readiness in terms of
personnel and buildings. (TNA)
The
presentation was witnessed by (from right) Kongpat Sakdapitak, plaza
manager Khanita Chakrithakoon and Ajarn Sompong Relasiri from Studio Art
Center.
