[Khurlxgq]

In theory, 9 years of education is now....compulsory. I use the word in theory as in practice if a kid drops school at his/her own accord before Grade 9 the authorities do nothing in regards to forcing that kid to attend school.

In theory too, education is free up to Grade 12 but unless the kid's family can prove to the school/local education board that they honestly don't have any financial means, the family will be asked to pay for this and that.

This and that means: lunch, books and uniforms etc... Parents are also asked to pay for extra-tutorial/pvt teachers such as 'The Foreign English Teacher', 'Computer Usage' and after school activities etc....

Every parent knows that having their kid study privately with their home-room Thai teacher etc.... will bring in better grades but again they will have to pay for that. That's all i'll say on that matter, better keep my mouth shut on that subject!

Yes, Thailand too has it's core and elective subjects just the same as the US.

In fact, the Thai state education system is based on that of the US, ie..Grades 1 through to 12 etc.... but the English Language syllabus is English/English.

Just as in western countries the kids at the age of 16 or after graduation of Grade 9 have the choice to drop their studies altogether, continue on to Grade 12 in the hope of going on to uni. or attend a vocational college instead.

Thailand's top state universities are of a high international standard. Perhaps someone would like to argue with that but the statistics show that the quality is right...up there.

As an educator, i can only agree to a certain point with what Bagwan has said in relation to 'Standards are low by UK benchmarks'

Statistics show that Thai students who go abroad to western countries to study for a year or so are far superior, on average, to their local counterparts in 'Maths and Science'.

Thailand's top state high schools have exceled on an international level at 'Maths and Science'.

For the past month i have been teaching a Grade 8 kid who has been in New Zealand studying for a year and a half. Just last night we were discussing this exact topic. On completion of Grade 6 he never once got in his class' top ten for Maths and Science but ever since he has been at school in New Zealand he has been scoring first or second.

Just call up any Bkk based company working in the field of 'sending Thai school kids to study abroad for a year' and they will tell you exactly the same thing and that includes the UK.

But....in some other subjects, especially 'Social Sciences' the Thai kids lag behind their western counterparts.

Finally, i would agree with bagwan in terms of 'Examinations being shaky!!'

Thai kids just love teamwork and trying to get away with the most copying and cheating is just the ....norm!