Thailand – Education gaps cost trillions

Without help, 5 million underprivileged children whose parents cannot afford to give them a proper education are fated to become low-skilled workers, an outcome that could cost the country trillions of baht in the long run. To prevent this scenario, the Education Ministry has been urged to ensure that these children are properly educated.

Amornwich Nakhonthap, a board member and adviser of the Quality Learning Foundation, said a survey counted 5 million underprivileged children, 3 million of whom had not been in school for the past decade. And a study by the Office of the Education Council showed that from 1997-2008, 20 per cent of schoolchildren had dropped out before completing Matthayom 3 (Grade 9) and 30 per cent before completing Matthayom 6 (Grade12). Only 35 per cent of students pursued higher education.

“This has resulted in a low-quality workforce. More than 60 per cent of Thai workers have education profiles lower than Matthayom 3. Based on income differentials between private-company employees with bachelor’s degrees and those with Matthayom 3- and Matthayom 6-level educations, our calculations found that the cumulative losses to the country in the next 40 years will be Bt37.5 trillion, or five times the country’s current gross domestic product,” he said.

The education of more than half the country’s schoolchildren has been overlooked, Amornwich said, adding that people only pay attention to the 35 per cent who are in higher education.

LOW RANKING IN EDUCATION

“According to the Human Development Index, Thailand is ranked 71st, lower than Malaysia, Lithuania, Croatia and Tonga. The Mental Health Department said the intelligence quotient (IQ) of children aged 6-15 is very low. The province with the lowest IQ [scores] is Narathiwat, while Nonthaburi has the highest.

“One third of children live with their grandparents due to teenage pregnancy problems. Relevant agencies know that all children must have equal access to education. However, the figures reflect that the education gap persists,” he said…

via Education gaps ‘cost country trillions’ – The Nation.