Maths, science lessons "need fun injection"

       Education authorities are being encouraged to inject some fun into the way the sciences and mathematics are taught.
       Thinsiri Siripor, deputy director of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (Seameo) Secretariat,said Thailand was planning a second round of education reforms and working on the guidelines.
       Education reform was also being carried out by countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Most of the 11 countries under Seameo have the same views on education reform as a tool to cope with the changes brought by the 21st century.
       Ms Thinsiri said it was necessary for these countries to focus on developing three skills among learners: analytical thinking, research techniques and social skills, she said.
       Jisnuson Svasti, chairman of the Science Association of Thailand, said the second round of education reforms should not focus solely on education structures.
       Reform should put more emphasis on education quality. That would include changing the way maths and science were taught as the subjects were fundamental to enabling students to think analytically, creatively and rationally.
       Reforming the two subjects would make the country more competitive, Prof Thinsiri said.
       Thailand invests little in science research, at only 0.24% of its GDP, much lower than Singapore's 2.6% and Finland's 2.84%.
       The Kingdom had a ratio of five researchers for each 10,000 of population,while in Singapore and Japan the ratio was about 60 to 10,000.
       The scientist urged the state sector to reform its teaching of the sciences to make it more enjoyable and easier for students to apply to their daily lives.
       He said Thailand had a science teaching problem at all levels. To change the way science was taught, it must start at the pre-school level.
       Thailand must produce scientists from its own curriculum to meet the science teacher need at the graduate and doctorate levels. It should not only focus on sending people abroad to study science.