Education

Education of Asian Countries

I.                  Education of Cambodia

 

In Cambodia, an education system has been in place since at least from the thirteenth century on. Traditionally, Cambodian education took place in the Wats (Buddhist monasteries) and was offered exclusively to the male population. The education involved basic literature, the foundation of religion and skills for daily life like carpentry, artistry, craftwork, constructing, playing instruments etc. This ‘traditional’ education was gradually changed when Cambodia was a French colony (1853-1963). The French introduced a formal education system influenced by a Western educational model, which was developed through the independence period (1960s), alongside with the traditional education. During the following civil wars, the education system suffered a chronic crisis and was completely destroyed during the Red Khmer regime (1970s).  Between 1980s and 1990s, education was reconstructed from almost ‘nothing’ and has been gradually developed until now.

Presently, after its reform in 1996, the formal educational structure of Cambodia is formulated in 6+3+3. This means 12 years for the completion of general education that divides up into six years for primary education (grade 1 to 6) and six years for secondary general education (grade 7 to 12). Secondary education consists of three years each for lower secondary education (grade 7 to 9) and upper secondary education (grade 10 to 12). This formulation does not include at least one year for pre-school education (kindergarten) for children from 3 to below 6 years old and universitary education of 4 to 5 years. Two others components of Cambodian educational structure involve non-formal education providing all children, youth, adult, disabled people with literacy and access to life skills. The other component is teacher training education. This allows students that successfully completed grade 12 or grade 9 to pursue teacher certificates at provincial teacher training colleges (for primary school teachers) or regional teacher training centers (for lower secondary school teachers).

Currently, the educational system is run by the Cambodian state, but private education exists at all levels and is run by private sectors. Most private schools offering pre-school education and general education have been operated by the communities of ethnic and religious minority including Chinese, Muslim, French, English and Vietnamese. Private higher education is accessible mainly in the capital of the country, but it is also available throughout the provinces of Cambodia.

Cambodian general education is based on a national school curriculum that consists of two main parts: basic education and upper secondary education. Basic education curriculum is divided into three cycles of three years each. The first cycle (grade 1-3) consists of 27-30 lessons per week lasting 40 minutes which are allocated to the five main subjects: Khmer(13lessons), Maths (7 lessons), Science & Social Studies including Arts (3 lessons), Physical and Health Education (2 lessons) and local life skills program (2-5 lessons). The second cycle (grade 4-6) comprises of the same number of lessons but is slightly different: Khmer (10 for grade 4 and 8 for grade 5-6),  Maths (6 for grade 4-6), Science (3 for grade 4 and 4 for grade 5-6), Social Studies including arts (4 for grade 4 and 5 for grade 5-6), Physical and Health Education (2 for grade 4-6), Local life skills program (2-5 for grade 4-6). The third cycle (grade 7-9) consists of 32-35 lessons which are allocated for 7 major subjects: Khmer, Maths, Social Studies and Science (6 lesson respectively), Foreign languages (4 lessons), Physical & Health Education and Sports (2 lessons), Local life skills program (2-5 lessons). Upper Secondary Education curriculum consists of two different phases. The curriculum for the first phase (grade 10) is identical to the third cycle of primary education (see above).  The second phase (grade 11-12) has two main components: Compulsory and Electives. Compulsory involves four major subjects with different numbers of lesson allocated per week: Khmer literature (6 lessons), Physical & Health Education and Sports (2 lessons), Foreign language: English or French (must choose one, 4 lessons each) and Mathematics: Basic or Advance (must choose one, 4 or 8 lesson respectively). Electives include three major subjects covering four or five sub-subjects with four lessons allocated per week for each one (students may choose one or two or three of them): Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Environmental Studies, Social Studies: Moral/Civics, History, Geography, Economics, EVEP: ICT/Technology, Accounting Business Management, Local Vocational Technical Subject, Tourism and Arts Education and other subjects. For those choosing Basic Maths or Advance Maths must choose four sub-subjects or three subjects respectively from the electives.

II.               Education of Thailand

Previously, education in Thailand was provided by Buddhist monks and was only available to boys. Nowadays however, the Thai government provides education in Thailand. There are two types of education in Thailand – formal and informal education. Formal education is the education that children receive in a classroom. Informal education however, is provided outside the classroom (in libraries, museums, through educational TV programmes and special radio programs etc.). However in Thailand today, most students have access to a formal education system. Formal education in Thailand is divided into early year education, basic education, vocational education and higher education. Basic education in Thailand is divided into: Nursery school KG1 to KG3 for 3 to 6 year olds, Primary school P1 to P6 (Prathorn) for 6 to11 year olds, Secondary school M1 – M6 (Mattayorn) for 12 to18 year olds. Compulsory education in Thailand consists of 6 years of primary schooling called Prathorn (level P1 to P6) and 3 years of secondary schooling (level M1-M3).

Optional secondary education and university: Students who want to continue their studies after the obligatory M3 level will have to pass the O-NET test (Ordinary National Educational Test). They then have to choose one or two elective courses. The elective courses consist of science programmes, mathematics programmes, foreign language programmes, or social science programmes. In order to graduate after M6, students must pass the A-NET test (Advanced National Educational Test). The M6 diploma is equivalent to British A levels, the International Baccalaureate or the US- high school diploma.In order to attend a university after graduating from M6, students must pass the CUAS test (Central University Admission System). This system is based on the scores of the O-NET and the A-NET. In addition they have to pass an extra admission test at their respective universities. Almost 40% of students attend university after M6 (Mattayorn).

Schooling hours and school holidays in Thailand: Public schools usually sing the National Anthem at 08:30, which indicates the start of the school day. Classes usually end around 15:30. International schools may have different schedules; this depends on the school. Public schools usually have one month of holiday in October and two months of holiday in March and April. Private international schools tend to have different holiday schedules. They are more likely to follow the Western schedule and have long holidays in July and August and a two week holiday for both Christmas and Easter.

The Grading System in Thailand: In Thailand, primary and secondary school students will be graded using a number-system (1 = very bad to 4 = very good). Some English teaching programmes and individual English teachers use the American grading system with A (being excellent), B, C, D and F (failed).

III.           Comparison between Cambodia and Thailand Education

Although Cambodia education was poor or all most of education have drop off from development sector. Traditionally, Cambodian education took place in the Wats (Buddhist monasteries) and was offered exclusively to the male population. The education involved basic literature, the foundation of religion and skills for daily life like carpentry, artistry, craftwork, constructing, playing instruments etc. Between 1980s and 1990s, education was reconstructed from almost ‘nothing’ and has been gradually developed until now. Recently education was increasing; those clinging of attention of government inject the capital to urge this sector. On other hand, education have been separate 12 years for the completion of general education that divides up into six years for primary education (grade 1 to 6) and six years for secondary general education (grade 7 to 12). Secondary education consists of three years each for lower secondary education (grade 7 to 9), upper secondary education (grade 10 to 12) and university of Bachelor Degree. And underwent of evolution of education in state and private sector is growth up bigger and better which can competition with other country in Asia. But Cambodia education still not recognition from international education widespread as the global. During the developing of higher education can be complete to some skill like professional. So it means that the process of education is going on the higher in Asia education. According to many University and Institute is growing and the potential in each one was developing to be strengthen and get the quality of each university. Whereas the education of Thailand was provided by monks in the previous, but now Thai education was educated two ways are informal and formal programs. Formal education is the education that children receive in a classroom. Informal education however, is provided outside the classroom. Anyway Thai educated is efficiency to the learner. Optional secondary education and university: Students who want to continue their studies after the obligatory M3 level will have to pass the O-NET test (Ordinary National Educational Test). Thai education was leading in Asia among of a few countries which is the top high education. More over thai education system are stronger than any country, include cambodia too. So that thai education are higher than cambodia and the education programe of thai too, it easier than cambodia. The number of learner is leader of cambodia but it is not problem for us in developing education. On the other hand, cambodia was increasing of interfere to the Asia and global education sector.