Bangkok: The government has ordered an end to competitive exams for kindergarten children, highlighting violations of the law and unnecessary pressure on young students. The directive emphasizes a transition towards improved assessment methods that focus on behavioral observation and learning development.
According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Patthadarasmi Thongsalooykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, disclosed that the Ministry of Education has issued instructions to the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) and the Office of the Private Education Commission. These instructions mandate strict supervision of all public and private schools across the nation to ensure compliance with the Early Childhood Development Act B.E. 2562 (2019). The act specifically prohibits the use of competitive examinations or win-lose ranking systems for young children.
The Early Childhood Development Act mandates that children under six receive appropriate care and learning opportunities suited to their age. It encompasses various aspects of development, including physical, mental, emotional, social, and intellectual growth. The act underscores the importance of allowing young children to start their learning journey at a suitable pace without being subjected to premature competition.
Captain Patthadarasmi explained that the government, through the Ministry of Education, has devised a creative approach to assessment methods nationwide. This approach involves the elimination of academic exams and competitive rankings, urging schools to adopt developmental assessments. These assessments should emphasize behavioral observation, communication skills, self-help skills, and participation in group activities. Schools are encouraged to use portfolios to gather student work, photos of activities, and track individual progress instead of relying solely on numerical assessments.
Captain Patthadarasmi noted that this law aims to view early childhood from a holistic perspective rather than just an academic one. Imposing academic pressures or mandatory exams on kindergarten children not only breaches legal provisions but also subjects children to undue stress, negatively impacting their brain development and long-term emotional well-being. The Ministry of Education is currently developing a national curriculum framework that includes early childhood development. Pediatricians specializing in child and adolescent development, along with experts from the Department of Mental Health, have been invited to form a working group to ensure the curriculum promotes holistic child development in alignment with physical, mental, emotional, and social growth.
Captain Patthadarasmi further expressed the government's confidence that the policy will alleviate the financial burden on parents related to tutoring expenses for young children. She also urged educational institutions to adjust their methods of reporting child development to parents, fostering a collaborative approach to ensure Thai children grow up with quality, age-appropriate development and happiness.