Education rethink
Re: "Social Security Fund reform 'urgent' as society ages", (BP, March 25).
Thailand's falling birth rate is a matter of serious concern. In the years ahead, the number of children and young people will decline sharply. The fierce competition we once saw for places in prestigious schools and universities may gradually disappear.
Today, some schools promote themselves through roadshows, highlighting their large campuses, sports facilities, qualified teachers, multilingual programs, and the number of students admitted to top universities. Yet these indicators may mean less than before when many university graduates now face unemployment, depression, anxiety, and a lack of practical survival skills.
I would like to offer several suggestions for school leaders and parent-teacher associations.
First, some schools and universities reportedly ban students from using AI in homework or assignments. In reality, however, the ability to use AI well may soon become essential in the workplace. Rather than banning it, schools should create balanced curricula that teach students how to use AI responsibly and effectively. Second, climate change is driving disasters worldwide. Critical management training and survival skills should become part of every school's regular curriculum. Third, research increasingly shows the harmful effects of social media on children. Some countries have already taken a firm stand on this issue. Schools in Thailand should do the same.
Finally, extracurricular activities that build social responsibility should be given greater importance. Such experiences not only benefit society but also strengthen a student's portfolio for university admission and future employment. I hope Thai schools will adapt quickly to the realities of a changing world. For the sake of our children, who are becoming fewer in number, we must invest more seriously in their future and in the future of our nation.
