Individual schools would be given greater say over the questions on national tests while several social subjects would be consolidated, under a plan before the Ministry of Education.
The National Institute of Educational Testing Services (Niets) says its new approach, submitted to the ministry for approval, would reduce the number of subjects tested from eight to five. Deputy Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said this was to test students’ basic knowledge and skills.
The first four would be science, mathematics, and the Thai and English languages. The fifth would be social science, would consolidate four current subjects: social science, religion and culture; careers and technology; health and physical education; and arts.
The social science exam would be separated into two parts: one tested by the Niets to assess general knowledge in daily life, and the other created independently by each school to evaluate students’ analytical and creative skills.
The latter would include practical exams to evaluate students’ knowledge of geography, history, economics, civic education, religion and culture, all aligned with different local contexts, Mr Teerakiat said.
He said the tests would be designed to encourage students to think and analyse, rather than memorise. For instance, students would analyse the causes of the collapse of the Ayutthaya kingdom and how to avoid a repetition.
“This will be a big change in the country’s educational system. Schools will now be allowed to shape the national exams, so the Office of the Basic Education Commission [Obec] must find out an assessment procedures to ensure fairness and standards,” he said.
The Niets’ proposal has been forwarded to Education Minister Adm Narong Pipattanasai for further consideration and approval. Every year, the Niets organises the Onet exam for all Prathom 6 (Grade 6), Mathayom 3 (Grade 9) and Mathayom 6 (Grade 12) students countrywide. The evaluation is used as an exit exam and for university admission.
“We have a target to boost average Onet scores for the five core subjects to over 50%, from the current average score of about 30%. I think that specific expectation will not be immediately reached, but we should not lower the goal. Instead, we should try hard to reach it,” Mr Teerakiat said.
Niets director Samphan Phranphruek said Onet scores of 30% have been used for university admission.
The proposed changes would require discussion with the Council of University Presidents of Thailand. According to the council's regulations, any change in admission criteria must be announced at least three years in advance.
Obec secretary-general Kamol Rodklai said schools also use 30% as an exit score for all students.