Minister orders probe into 'tea money'

**dirtydog** · 27-03-2007, 12:35 AM

Minister orders probe into 'tea money'

Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an ordered an inquiry yesterday into Samsen Wittayalai School following reports its staff asked for a Bt100,000 "donation" from parents of children admitted to its English programme.

"The ministry's inspector generals will form a probe team to find out what happened," Wijit said.

The Education Ministry has barred state schools from accepting donations during the student admission period in a bid to prevent schools from trading seats for "tea money".

The Samsen Wittayalai School, however, has already announced which students have been accepted into its English programme and requested a Bt100,000 donation from parents of the successful applicants. The donation is not mandatory.

"No matter what, Samsen Wittayalai School should get a rebuke for asking for donations at this time, because other parents could perceive this as a tea-money practice," Wijit said.

One parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she never received any information about the Bt100,000 donation.

"When I asked the school about the donation, I was told that I could pay it in instalments," the parent said.

Samsen Wittayalai School director Wisarut Sonthichai said that the English programme at his school needed donations because the Bt35,000 tuition fees could not cover actual costs.

"Students learn in air-conditioned rooms. Teachers are native speakers with master degrees and teaching materials are imported from overseas," he said.
He insisted that even if parents could not provide donations, their children would still enjoy the right to be part of the English programme. "It's not a mandatory condition," he said.

The Nation

watterinja · 27-03-2007, 12:40 AM

I wonder who receives the 'tea money'? How on earth could they justify this kind of 'request' anyway?

This place is sick. No wonder the children of the affluent always pass - most probably with distinction - despite being as thick as pigshite.

**Spin** · 27-03-2007, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by watterinja

This place is sick

aye, let 'em get on with it.

**dirtydog** · 27-03-2007, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by Somchai

Teachers are native speakers with master degrees and teaching materials are imported from overseas," he said.

What he really means..

Originally Posted by Somchai

Teachers are native speakers with erm, some sort of papers that we like to refer to as degrees and teabags are imported from overseas for our lovely ex tesco shelf stackers," he said.

**dirtydog** · 28-03-2007, 03:12 AM

Donations welcome after school admissions finalised

State secondary schools can start receiving donations in about a month, Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an said yesterday.

In a bid to prevent state schools from trading seats for bribes - or "tea money", Wijit banned them from accepting any donation during the student-admission period.

The ban will only stay in effect until 15 days after the schools' finally announce the names of children able to attend as students.

All schools have been told to announce a final list of successful applicants on April 10.

"Although the schools can accept donations, they must make sure that there's no hidden agenda. If there's ground for suspicion, the schools will face investigations," Wijit said.

Yesterday, all state secondary schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) officially announced the results of applicants who successfully passed their entrance exams. Successful students were also required to report to the schools yesterday.

Children who failed the entrance exams can register at schools in their neighbourhood for the right to attend a draw that will determine who get school places set down for local residents.

Every state school is required to earmark a sizeable number of seats for children who live in the local neighbourhood. When the number of students is higher than available seats, popular schools usually hold draws to decide who gets in.

The draw will take place on Sunday (April 1).

The families of children who fail to get seats in the draw have to contact their local educational service area office on April 8 and 9. On April 10, schools with available seats will announce their final lists of successful applicants.

The period between the first and final announcements of successful applicants is the time when parents have usually tried to offer money to famous schools for a "favour" to get their children admitted. But the Education Ministry barred schools from receiving such donations at that time this year.

Meanwhile, Wijit said students' rather low scores in the Advanced National Educational Test (A-Net) this year showed Thai education standards had yet to improve.

"Most students don't show signs of improvement," he said.
The O-Net scores will be announced next month.

The Nation

**Rigger** · 28-03-2007, 09:44 AM

I dont know if we are paying tea money or not but the wife just paid 12,000 of a 80,000bht per year cost to send my 3 1/2 yo daughter a school in Khon kean next May
I believe this covers 900 bht a month for pick up droped off at home by mini bus. Food at school and books But have to pay for uniforms separately.

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