Entrance exam curbs plan runs into uni flak
Jan 20, 2011
Efforts to resolve the tricky problem of universities forcing students to sit special entrance exams have hit a brick wall with many of the institutes opposed to an Education Ministry plan to simplify the system.
By Bangkok Post
Published on January 20, 2011
Phirom: No united stance
The ministry has floated the idea of a 50:50 ratio of central university exams and direct-quota admission exams. It also wants to establish a direct exam centre to save students the cost of extensive travelling to different universities.
Under the present system, each university is free to set its own ratio of central and direct admissions. Most set a direct admission ratio at the higher rate of 60:40 or 70:30.
Students apply to several universities at a time and have to travel extensively, often to far-off provinces, to sit the direct examinations, which can prove costly.
The ministry's plan to resolve the problem is to have a 50:50 compulsory ratio with students limited to four universities.
The direct examination centre would handle the applicants and provide a one-stop service for all universities.
But many universities remain sceptical about the idea. Phirom Kamolratanakul, rector of Chulalongkorn University, said each university had its own reasons to set the conditions on direct examinations, although creating a direct exam centre was a good idea to ease the final burden on students and parents.
"But it is hard trying to persuade all universities to go in the same direction," he said.
Kasetsart University rector Wuttichai Kapilakarn said the ministry should improve its overall admission system first.
"We have to accept that the admission system has a problem. If it is not improved, students will continue travelling to the different universities to sit their direct examinations. Setting up a direct exam centre is to solve the problem at that end," he said.
Naresuan University rector Sujin Jinayon said the university had a 70:30 ratio for direct examinations, but the number was lowered in some years.
"Students have a right to take the direct exam, and reducing the percentage of the direct examination contradicts our objective of providing educational opportunities to students in the lower North," he said.
Prince of Songkla University rector Boonsom Siribumrungsukha said all universities should be consulted on the plans.
Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat said he had asked the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUTP) to look into the proposal.
"Students flock to study at prestigious and popular universities, which tend to set high direct admission ratios, even when their abilities or interests may not be best suited to studying at those institutions," he said.
"Young people should select the branch by themselves based on their capability and interest," he said.
Sumeth Yamnoon, secretary-general of the Office of the Higher Education Commission (Ohec), said a public hearing on a direct examination centre would be held to gather opinions from parents and students.
"If only one university fails to offer its cooperation, the idea cannot work," Mr Sumeth said.
A CUTP source said the direct examination centre idea was not feasible. Many universities would reject it, saying that while they agreed in principle, more work was needed.
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