Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit yesterday admitted that Basic Education Commission secretarygeneral Kunyhing Kasama Varawan Na Ayuthya had submitted her resignation.
He declined to comment on Kasam's reason for quitting, saying out of courtesy Kasama should be the one who explained it.
Jurin claimed there was no work conflict or pressure and that he had worked with Kasam harmoniously.
His comments were made yesterday while explaining a proposal to find replacements for level10 officials retiring next month. He said the plan would miss Cabinet's meeting today because of PM Abhisit Vejjajiva's absence.
Kasama admitted she had submitted the resignation letter but not because of any work conflict or pressure from others. She had intended for a long time to retire when she became 60 because she had worked for so long.
Since secondround educational reform was at a turning point and the Thai Khemkaeng stimulus package had begun, she wanted to give an opportunity to others to work in full swing and with continuity, she said.
"Even though I quit the post, I won't be out of the education circle because I still work as an educational committee member," she said, adding she would hold a press conference after her resignation was approved.
Kasama said she would remain in the post until October 26, which was also her 60th birthday anniversary.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
JUST LOG OUT, TURN OFF AND EXPERIENCE LIFE
Online preoccupation in a virtual world is denying today's youth the real thing Today's youth and some adults may be spending too much time online and ending up losing opportunities to develop other skills and have meaningful off-line experience and face-to-face relationships. In Bangkok, schoolchildren and some adults spend an inordinate amount of the time at Internet cafes or in front of their notebook computers playing online games, checking out Facebook or literally Twittering their life away on their mobile phones.
A more balanced approach is needed lest these people end up treating their online virtual life as more important or a substitute to their off-line real life.
There is no debate about the merits and marvels of the Internet. Wikipedia and Google have opened access to a treasure trove of information in ways unimaginable to people two decades ago. Twitter has changed the face of revolt in Iran and will likely play a more crucial role in future political struggles elsewhere. And the seemingly less-hi-tech e-mail has managed to make inter-continental relationships possible as well as affordable. Facebook and MySpace have also reinvented virtual social networking. Today, one can also play online games with multiple others from various parts of the globe in real time.
Nevertheless, despite the obvious merit of these technological innovations, one must recognise that too much of anything is always harmful. Some people have ended up becoming addicted to online life and relations and fail to nurture their off-line life as a result. Others have ended up having less time for serious book reading and contemplation, preferring the easier way to google up everything.
The virtual world, to some, has become a replacement for the real world's face-to-face interaction and relations. No one should doubt that no matter how hi-tech and dazzling these new Internet technologies are, they can never replace the real-life experience of our five senses. Looking at any number of pages of snow online can never replace the real-life experience of being physically exposed to snowy winter. Google as many maps as you like about different parts of Rome but it cannot compensate for taking a leisurely stroll in that majestic old imperial capital by foot. Also, none of the sweet words online sent through e-mail can ever replace a real embrace and kiss of lovers or the joy of having a real face-to-face chat with friends while having lunch or dinner together.
Parents should spend more time with their children, face-to-face and enjoy the here and now. Often time, online activity distracts people from the present. Their minds drift far away and unfortunately are no longer rooted to the present, not mindful and contemplative about the moment.
In the US, a string of books have been written about the possible adverse effects of spending too much time online. Mark Bauerlein, a professor of English at Emory University and author of the 2008 best-selling book "The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardises Our Future", asks if digital diversion of the young has cut kids off from history, civics, literature and fine art.
Bauerlein answers in the affirmative.
"Teenagers live in the present and the immediate. What happened long ago and far away doesn't impress them. They care about what occurred last week in the cafeteria, not what took place during the Great Depression. They heed the words of Facebook, not the Gettysburg Address. They focus on other kids in the English class, not leaders in Congress," the author wrote. "These young people are uninterested in world realities. They are actively cut off from them. Or a better way to put it is to say that they are encased in more immediate realities that shut out conditions beyond - friends, work, clothes, cars, pop music, sitcoms, Facebook."
His suggested remedy is that children need a reprieve and a retreat. "For them to grow up into mindful citizens and discerning consumers, then, adolescents must break the social circuit and think beyond the clique and the schoolyard. But they can't do it themselves - peer pressure is too strong - and so adults must help draw them away."
Do some people see a parallel of sorts to some youth (and even some adults) in Thailand? One may not need to totally agree with Bauerlein to appreciate his concerns.
Some Thai parents and adults may do well to think about the issue. In fact, teenagers and young adults should be encouraged to discuss and debate the pros and cons of their digital dependency, if not addiction, in the hope that they may eventually develop a less euphoric and more realistic view of what an online-dependent life really entails and what repercussions it has for not just themselves but society as a whole.
A more balanced approach is needed lest these people end up treating their online virtual life as more important or a substitute to their off-line real life.
There is no debate about the merits and marvels of the Internet. Wikipedia and Google have opened access to a treasure trove of information in ways unimaginable to people two decades ago. Twitter has changed the face of revolt in Iran and will likely play a more crucial role in future political struggles elsewhere. And the seemingly less-hi-tech e-mail has managed to make inter-continental relationships possible as well as affordable. Facebook and MySpace have also reinvented virtual social networking. Today, one can also play online games with multiple others from various parts of the globe in real time.
Nevertheless, despite the obvious merit of these technological innovations, one must recognise that too much of anything is always harmful. Some people have ended up becoming addicted to online life and relations and fail to nurture their off-line life as a result. Others have ended up having less time for serious book reading and contemplation, preferring the easier way to google up everything.
The virtual world, to some, has become a replacement for the real world's face-to-face interaction and relations. No one should doubt that no matter how hi-tech and dazzling these new Internet technologies are, they can never replace the real-life experience of our five senses. Looking at any number of pages of snow online can never replace the real-life experience of being physically exposed to snowy winter. Google as many maps as you like about different parts of Rome but it cannot compensate for taking a leisurely stroll in that majestic old imperial capital by foot. Also, none of the sweet words online sent through e-mail can ever replace a real embrace and kiss of lovers or the joy of having a real face-to-face chat with friends while having lunch or dinner together.
Parents should spend more time with their children, face-to-face and enjoy the here and now. Often time, online activity distracts people from the present. Their minds drift far away and unfortunately are no longer rooted to the present, not mindful and contemplative about the moment.
In the US, a string of books have been written about the possible adverse effects of spending too much time online. Mark Bauerlein, a professor of English at Emory University and author of the 2008 best-selling book "The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardises Our Future", asks if digital diversion of the young has cut kids off from history, civics, literature and fine art.
Bauerlein answers in the affirmative.
"Teenagers live in the present and the immediate. What happened long ago and far away doesn't impress them. They care about what occurred last week in the cafeteria, not what took place during the Great Depression. They heed the words of Facebook, not the Gettysburg Address. They focus on other kids in the English class, not leaders in Congress," the author wrote. "These young people are uninterested in world realities. They are actively cut off from them. Or a better way to put it is to say that they are encased in more immediate realities that shut out conditions beyond - friends, work, clothes, cars, pop music, sitcoms, Facebook."
His suggested remedy is that children need a reprieve and a retreat. "For them to grow up into mindful citizens and discerning consumers, then, adolescents must break the social circuit and think beyond the clique and the schoolyard. But they can't do it themselves - peer pressure is too strong - and so adults must help draw them away."
Do some people see a parallel of sorts to some youth (and even some adults) in Thailand? One may not need to totally agree with Bauerlein to appreciate his concerns.
Some Thai parents and adults may do well to think about the issue. In fact, teenagers and young adults should be encouraged to discuss and debate the pros and cons of their digital dependency, if not addiction, in the hope that they may eventually develop a less euphoric and more realistic view of what an online-dependent life really entails and what repercussions it has for not just themselves but society as a whole.
Top medical award goes to Thai teacher
A Thai medical science teacher has won an Association for Medical Education in Europe award.
Paphan Musikawat, a medical science teacher at Maharaj Hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat, won the Amee award in recognition of her assessment of medical science students under the hospital's project to produce doctors for rural people.
Dr Paphan was among a group of medical science educators who attended the annual Amee conference where the award was presented. The conference was held in Malaga, Spain, from August 29 to Sept 2.
There were five award categories: curriculum planning, assessment, teaching and learning, student issues and research in medical education. There were 450 entries for the awards, seven from Thailand.
Dr Paphan has been granted Amee membership and issued with free copies of Medical Teacher , an international journal of education in the health sciences,for one year.
Amee is a worldwide organisation with members in 90 countries on five continents. Members include educators, researchers, administrators, curriculum developers, assessors and students in medicine and healthcare professions.
It organises an annual conference and delivers courses on teaching, assessment and research skills for teachers in medicine and healthcare professions.
Paphan Musikawat, a medical science teacher at Maharaj Hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat, won the Amee award in recognition of her assessment of medical science students under the hospital's project to produce doctors for rural people.
Dr Paphan was among a group of medical science educators who attended the annual Amee conference where the award was presented. The conference was held in Malaga, Spain, from August 29 to Sept 2.
There were five award categories: curriculum planning, assessment, teaching and learning, student issues and research in medical education. There were 450 entries for the awards, seven from Thailand.
Dr Paphan has been granted Amee membership and issued with free copies of Medical Teacher , an international journal of education in the health sciences,for one year.
Amee is a worldwide organisation with members in 90 countries on five continents. Members include educators, researchers, administrators, curriculum developers, assessors and students in medicine and healthcare professions.
It organises an annual conference and delivers courses on teaching, assessment and research skills for teachers in medicine and healthcare professions.
Mong gets third place in new event
Mong Thongdee, the stateless boy representing Thailand at the Japanese paper airplane contest, has captured third place in the individual event.
It was the second achievement in two days for the boy. On Saturday, Mong,12, and his three-member Thai team won the group competition.
Contestants quickly fold their planes,then throw them into the air.
Mong won a national paper airplane championship in Thailand in August 2008 after he threw a plane that flew for 12 seconds, and was later chosen to attend the Japanese contest in Chiba,near Tokyo.
But Mong, who lives in Chiang Mai,is the son of Burmese migrants who are stateless and so have no legal right to travel abroad.
His first application to leave Thailand was denied, but after media coverage of his plight the government granted him a temporary passport.
Mong yesterday appeared in a white T-shirt decorated with the Thai flag, whipping his carefully folded airplanes high into the air during the competition in front of hundreds of spectators.
He placed third in the division for elementary school students with a time of 10.53 seconds.
After the event he said he wanted his family back home to know he won third place, and that he was grateful to the people who supported him.
It was the second achievement in two days for the boy. On Saturday, Mong,12, and his three-member Thai team won the group competition.
Contestants quickly fold their planes,then throw them into the air.
Mong won a national paper airplane championship in Thailand in August 2008 after he threw a plane that flew for 12 seconds, and was later chosen to attend the Japanese contest in Chiba,near Tokyo.
But Mong, who lives in Chiang Mai,is the son of Burmese migrants who are stateless and so have no legal right to travel abroad.
His first application to leave Thailand was denied, but after media coverage of his plight the government granted him a temporary passport.
Mong yesterday appeared in a white T-shirt decorated with the Thai flag, whipping his carefully folded airplanes high into the air during the competition in front of hundreds of spectators.
He placed third in the division for elementary school students with a time of 10.53 seconds.
After the event he said he wanted his family back home to know he won third place, and that he was grateful to the people who supported him.
Monday, September 21, 2009
WII GOES TO COLLEGE, GRADUATES
Imagine a world in which college students can play Wii Fit and receive course credit for it. If you're enrolled at the University of Houston in the US state of Texas, you don't have to imagine it. You can do it.
Chuck Layne is the forward-thinking chairman of the university's health-and-human-performance department who was partly responsible for brianstorming the idea of introducing Wii Fit as part of the elective physical-education curriculum.
It made sense, he says, considering the campus' diversity and the department's affinity for using cutting-edge technology.
"About five years ago we began to add a number of non-traditional physical-activity courses, such as tai chi and judo, because we have a lot of people here who didn't grow up playing basketball or tennis or volleyball.
"Since they're electives, we made the decision to make it more customer-friendly."
The innovative classes have been popular, but when Layne heard about the Wii Fit, he thought it would be - well - a good fit for the department.
"It made sense, especially for people who aren't normally into exercise," he says.
Layne says the for-credit pilot course, which he believes is the first of its kind, could be a gateway exercise programme for those who feel uncomfortable in a traditional class setting or uneasy about trying something new, like yoga.
Depending on the programme, the Wii can be a good workout, elevating the heart rate and producing a sweat.
A racquetball court was converted into a Wii studio with 10 systems that can be played simultaneously. The class filled up in who days despite it not being on the course schedule (it was conceived too late) and having no advertising.
After three weeks, Layne says, student feedback is positive, and estimates that about half probably had some Wii Fit experience before taking this class. The class also inclused course work on nutrition and exercise.
One thing Layne particularly likes about the Wii Fit is its ability to track things such as physical activity and body-mass index, making users more aware of their progress.
Layne and his colleagues are already eyeing the programme as a source for research studies, and he's thaning of other applications as well, such as having families exercise together.
"There's no reason why we can't use the studio almost all day. We're hoping the students have a positive experience with it."
Chuck Layne is the forward-thinking chairman of the university's health-and-human-performance department who was partly responsible for brianstorming the idea of introducing Wii Fit as part of the elective physical-education curriculum.
It made sense, he says, considering the campus' diversity and the department's affinity for using cutting-edge technology.
"About five years ago we began to add a number of non-traditional physical-activity courses, such as tai chi and judo, because we have a lot of people here who didn't grow up playing basketball or tennis or volleyball.
"Since they're electives, we made the decision to make it more customer-friendly."
The innovative classes have been popular, but when Layne heard about the Wii Fit, he thought it would be - well - a good fit for the department.
"It made sense, especially for people who aren't normally into exercise," he says.
Layne says the for-credit pilot course, which he believes is the first of its kind, could be a gateway exercise programme for those who feel uncomfortable in a traditional class setting or uneasy about trying something new, like yoga.
Depending on the programme, the Wii can be a good workout, elevating the heart rate and producing a sweat.
A racquetball court was converted into a Wii studio with 10 systems that can be played simultaneously. The class filled up in who days despite it not being on the course schedule (it was conceived too late) and having no advertising.
After three weeks, Layne says, student feedback is positive, and estimates that about half probably had some Wii Fit experience before taking this class. The class also inclused course work on nutrition and exercise.
One thing Layne particularly likes about the Wii Fit is its ability to track things such as physical activity and body-mass index, making users more aware of their progress.
Layne and his colleagues are already eyeing the programme as a source for research studies, and he's thaning of other applications as well, such as having families exercise together.
"There's no reason why we can't use the studio almost all day. We're hoping the students have a positive experience with it."
Mong lands gold in team event
Mong Thongdee, a stateless child from Chiang Mai province representing Thailand in an international paper airplane flying contest in Japan, yesterday emerged the champion in the team event.
MONG GOES FOR GOLD: Mong Thongdee prepares to throw his paper plane in Japan yesterday.
The 12-year-old boy was part of a three-man team which included two adults at the All-Japan Origami Airplane competition being held at the Makuhari Complex in Chiba, Japan, according to Japanese newspaper Mainichi.
Mong's paper plane stayed in the air for 11 seconds, which was good enough for victory, but not good enough to break the record of 12.50 seconds set last year.
Mong was wearing a yellow shirt and a pair of jeans when he made his throw.
After the team victory, in which only the best throw is counted out of the three throws, he smiled and shook hands with members of the rival teams.
Mong said he wanted to thank all the people who supported him and said he would tell his parents he was proud to have represented Thailand and won.
He will be competing Sunday in the individual event.
Mong is a Prathom 4 (grade 4) student at the Ban Huay Sai School in Chiang Mai province.
Mong almost didn't make it to Japan for the competition as he is a stateless person in Thailand - his parents are Burmese - and he has no ID card and didn't qualify for a Thai passport.
But after the story of his plight first broke in the Bangkok Post Sunday, senior government officials stepped in.
Mong was then given the all-clear to travel to Japan after PM Abhisit Vejjajiva stepped in. A certificate and temporary passport were issued to the boy, allowing him to travel to Japan.
MONG GOES FOR GOLD: Mong Thongdee prepares to throw his paper plane in Japan yesterday.
The 12-year-old boy was part of a three-man team which included two adults at the All-Japan Origami Airplane competition being held at the Makuhari Complex in Chiba, Japan, according to Japanese newspaper Mainichi.
Mong's paper plane stayed in the air for 11 seconds, which was good enough for victory, but not good enough to break the record of 12.50 seconds set last year.
Mong was wearing a yellow shirt and a pair of jeans when he made his throw.
After the team victory, in which only the best throw is counted out of the three throws, he smiled and shook hands with members of the rival teams.
Mong said he wanted to thank all the people who supported him and said he would tell his parents he was proud to have represented Thailand and won.
He will be competing Sunday in the individual event.
Mong is a Prathom 4 (grade 4) student at the Ban Huay Sai School in Chiang Mai province.
Mong almost didn't make it to Japan for the competition as he is a stateless person in Thailand - his parents are Burmese - and he has no ID card and didn't qualify for a Thai passport.
But after the story of his plight first broke in the Bangkok Post Sunday, senior government officials stepped in.
Mong was then given the all-clear to travel to Japan after PM Abhisit Vejjajiva stepped in. A certificate and temporary passport were issued to the boy, allowing him to travel to Japan.
Training quality nurses
For some time, the southern border provinces have experienced the effects of violence and unrest. The events, which have caused untold loss and destruction to infrastructure and people, to many innocent people and this has been exacerbated by the fact that now there are fewer trained doctors and nurses returning to work in the troubled area to help the people affected by such events.
Presently, the entire country has a shortfall of around 30,000 nurses, with the universities of the Ministry of Public Health only able to produce 2,500 nurses per year. In the southern border provinces, there are currently around 3,000 trained nurses - around 600 per provinced. It is estimated that around 6,000 nurses are needed to meet the needs of the people in the south, meaning that another 3,000 are desperately needed.
It must also be realized that due to the unrest, doctors and nurses in the south have a greatly increased workload. Faced with such frightening and unsafe conditions, many of these medical professional have resettled in other parts of the country.
In light of this, the "Project to Produce Professional Nurses to Solve the Problems of the Southern Border Princes" has been initiated. The projects is the product of cooperation between associated state departments, including the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Education, the Southern Border Province Administration Centre, the Office of the Civil Service Commission, the Budget Bureau, the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the National Intelligence Agency, the governors of the respective southern provinces, and the Thailand Nursing and Midwidfery Council.
The project is a focused effort to restore the numbers of trained nurses and medical professionals back to sufficient levels. The brainchild of ISOC, the project is now truly underway, wich each department involved in the initiative aware of and ready to carry out their responsibilities under the project.
Since the beginnings of the unrest in the south, ISOC has carried out its duties in the area and has witnessed first-hand the effects the shortage of nurses has had on the local community. ISOC says that the shortage gas added to the instability of the situation, with locals feeling as if they have been abandoned by the government as there have simply not been enough medical staff to treat the injured. It is vital for this situation to be remedied. The professional nurse training program will help to do this, restoring confidence in the authorities and quality of life to the local community.
The "Project to Produce Professional Nurses to Fix the Problems in the Southern Border Provinces," has the objective to relieve the problems of unrest in the southern border area and to guarantee stable healthcare, 24 hours a day, for the local people of Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, Satul and Songkla. The project had been given an initial budget of 1,269 million baht for four years - about 70,000 baht per student, per year, with involved universities already able to accept new students.
Other than helping with the shortage of professional nurses, the project will creat excellent educational opportunities for the youth of the south and help to solve the problems of violence and unrest in the area. Education is the key, as it will allow students to not only develop professional skills, but analytical thinking, which can be applied to all areas of life. Around 3,000 local students will be selected from Yala, Pattani, Satul, and the four districts of Songkla (Sabayoi, Jana, Natawi), who will be given a chance to study in the program. Stidents will be overseen by a professional management committee who will take care of the student's needs before, during, and after graduating from the program. The program will be open to both Buddhist and Muslim students.
Educational institutes will publicize the offer to participate in the programme through various universities, with places for around 100 students per institution. The program will give students and excellent chance to gain life experiences and further broaden their cultural horizons.
Presently, the nursing students of the southern border provinces already involved in the programme are committed to studying to their full potential in educational year 2009 and are focused on completing their studies so they may return to their native provinces and help. Rest assured that ISOC, the driving force behind the project, will continuously push for a sustained drive to produce professionals to help the people of the south.
Presently, the entire country has a shortfall of around 30,000 nurses, with the universities of the Ministry of Public Health only able to produce 2,500 nurses per year. In the southern border provinces, there are currently around 3,000 trained nurses - around 600 per provinced. It is estimated that around 6,000 nurses are needed to meet the needs of the people in the south, meaning that another 3,000 are desperately needed.
It must also be realized that due to the unrest, doctors and nurses in the south have a greatly increased workload. Faced with such frightening and unsafe conditions, many of these medical professional have resettled in other parts of the country.
In light of this, the "Project to Produce Professional Nurses to Solve the Problems of the Southern Border Princes" has been initiated. The projects is the product of cooperation between associated state departments, including the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Education, the Southern Border Province Administration Centre, the Office of the Civil Service Commission, the Budget Bureau, the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the National Intelligence Agency, the governors of the respective southern provinces, and the Thailand Nursing and Midwidfery Council.
The project is a focused effort to restore the numbers of trained nurses and medical professionals back to sufficient levels. The brainchild of ISOC, the project is now truly underway, wich each department involved in the initiative aware of and ready to carry out their responsibilities under the project.
Since the beginnings of the unrest in the south, ISOC has carried out its duties in the area and has witnessed first-hand the effects the shortage of nurses has had on the local community. ISOC says that the shortage gas added to the instability of the situation, with locals feeling as if they have been abandoned by the government as there have simply not been enough medical staff to treat the injured. It is vital for this situation to be remedied. The professional nurse training program will help to do this, restoring confidence in the authorities and quality of life to the local community.
The "Project to Produce Professional Nurses to Fix the Problems in the Southern Border Provinces," has the objective to relieve the problems of unrest in the southern border area and to guarantee stable healthcare, 24 hours a day, for the local people of Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, Satul and Songkla. The project had been given an initial budget of 1,269 million baht for four years - about 70,000 baht per student, per year, with involved universities already able to accept new students.
Other than helping with the shortage of professional nurses, the project will creat excellent educational opportunities for the youth of the south and help to solve the problems of violence and unrest in the area. Education is the key, as it will allow students to not only develop professional skills, but analytical thinking, which can be applied to all areas of life. Around 3,000 local students will be selected from Yala, Pattani, Satul, and the four districts of Songkla (Sabayoi, Jana, Natawi), who will be given a chance to study in the program. Stidents will be overseen by a professional management committee who will take care of the student's needs before, during, and after graduating from the program. The program will be open to both Buddhist and Muslim students.
Educational institutes will publicize the offer to participate in the programme through various universities, with places for around 100 students per institution. The program will give students and excellent chance to gain life experiences and further broaden their cultural horizons.
Presently, the nursing students of the southern border provinces already involved in the programme are committed to studying to their full potential in educational year 2009 and are focused on completing their studies so they may return to their native provinces and help. Rest assured that ISOC, the driving force behind the project, will continuously push for a sustained drive to produce professionals to help the people of the south.
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