Bangkok: The Ministry of Education is urgently addressing complaints from Pheu Thai Party MPs regarding outdated textbooks and is committed to revising the curriculum to maintain its relevance in the modern era.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Akranan Kankittinan, Deputy Minister of Education, who supervises the Department of Learning Promotion (DLP), confirmed the receipt of the complaints concerning the low quality and outdated nature of textbooks published by the National Education Council. He pledged to expedite the review process and revise the curriculum to prioritize student quality.
Mr. Akranan, addressing a press conference held by a Member of Parliament from the People's Party, acknowledged the issues raised about the DLP's teaching system and textbooks, emphasizing the need for alignment with the current curriculum. He stated that he had instructed relevant agencies, particularly the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), to accelerate curriculum revisions and textbook updates to meet global changes and learner needs.
Expressing gratitude to MP Pavitara and the People's Party for highlighting these concerns, Mr. Akranan stated that the information provided is vital for the Ministry's improvement efforts. He assured that a thorough investigation into all aspects, including curriculum content, textbook production, and implementation, would be conducted to gather comprehensive information and address the issue directly.
The Deputy Minister stressed that immediate action would follow if any shortcomings or delays in the improvement process are identified. This includes modernizing textbook formats, incorporating digital and multimedia elements to meet current educational contexts. Ensuring the quality of student learning remains a priority, and outdated materials will not be permitted for students, including those in non-formal education.
Mr. Akranan confirmed that the investigation results would be finalized promptly and lead to the development of concrete corrective measures to enhance the quality and modernity of education at the National Institute of Educational Testing (NIET) in the future.