"Volunteer spirit' a replacement for O-Net scores?

17 กุมภาพันธ์ 2559

The Education Ministry has floated the idea of citing students' volunteering records as a criteria for university entrance in some faculties, replacing scores from the O-Net. Getting universities to agree, however, is another matter.

The Education Ministry has floated the idea of citing students' volunteering records as a criteria for university entrance in some faculties, replacing scores from the O-Net. Getting universities to agree, however, is another matter.

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'Volunteer spirit' eyed for university entry

Dumrongkiat Mala

The Education Ministry has floated the idea of citing students' community engagement and volunteering records as a criteria for university entrance in some faculties, replacing scores from the Ordinary National Education Test (O-Net).

Education permanent secretary Kamchorn Tatiyakawee said the plan aims to reshape the university entry system, which mainly focuses on testing what knowledge students have acquired rather than considering their volunteering spirit.

He said the idea also aims to reduce inequality in the Thai education system as evidence shows there is a wide gap in examination scores between students who use tutorial services and those who cannot afford them.

"For some professions which are in the most demand such as doctors, engineers and scientists, students with high test scores are still needed. But for the General Education and Social Science fields, I think students' volunteering records should be considered as the main factor rather than O-net test scores," Mr Kamchorn said.

The proposal raises the prospect that some students with poor academic records but a record of volunteer service could be accepted in some faculties and ultimately the professions they have chosen.

He said the education faculty should be among those that accept students with a volunteer spirit as they will be teachers after graduation.

Mr Kamchorn also said the faculty of education in each university should consider how many of their high-scoring graduates have applied to teach in rural schools, as there is a shortage there.

In addition, they should consider which factor between test scores and volunteer spirit is necessary in their would-be students.

"The Education Minister has acknowledged this idea. However, the ministry does not have the power to force universities to adopt this method. We can only make suggestions and sell our idea to higher institutions. In the end, whether they will buy the idea is up to them," he said.

Prasart Suebka, former chairman of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand, said all universities assign special quotas for talented students, including students who have shown a dedication to community service.

However, a volunteer spirit is a personal quality which is hard to evaluate. In his opinion, the results of standardised test scores of applicants are still required.

Mr Prasart said he believed the idea would be opposed if it is presented to universities.