What are Thai schools like?
All schools communicate in Thai and are Buddhist, but every school is different in setting, facilities and commitment from teachers. Primary schools are often remote and the level of teaching limited. With minimal budgets, the buildings and resources can be primitive, sometimes with no electricity. As children are often poor, books, pens and paper are limited. However, where there is electricity, some schools are using TVs to teach some subjects. Secondary schools are more formal – teachers are highly respected and need to be formally dressed. Each day (in both primary and secondary schools) starts with an assembly, often led by the students. During the day, classes can vary in size but sometimes reach as much as forty. Don’t be surprised if the teaching day is seriously disrupted by an event such as a Buddhist ceremony, an inspection or a royal birthday. One day of the year is Teacher Day where students present teachers with flowers and then wai (take a Thai bow) to them.
