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As we get closer to the departure date of February 13th, we are learning more about some of the "Do's and Dont's" while in Thailand.  As we are going to be visiting Temples and schools, there is a dress code in place. (MORE ON THAT LATER) A dress code in these places is to be expected.  After all, all school children are required to wear a uniform while attending school so it would be expected that we dress as business casual.

As I have learned in the last few days, Thailand is a very conservative country and with it, a conserative style of dress.  What you may see on the beaches of Thailand is not what you will see in other areas and especially the areas we will be going.  Thai people feel that exposing skin is considered RUDE and as such will wear long pants and shirts with sleeves and collars.  When it is predicted to be +30 celsuis, I am a shorts man!

It has been recommended that we do not bring shorts as they will not be considered appropriate for the country.  We are going not as tourists but as professional learners and as such, we will need to be acting in a way that will not make the Thai people we meet feel uncomfortable in anyway.  We want them to know that we respect their culture and their beliefs and in the long run, we will see a lot more friendly and smiling faces.

So I guess I will be able to handle the +30 temperature knowing that it will not be that temperature at home.

Brief Information on the Thailand Education System

The Thailand Educational system is divided into categories similar to what most Canadian school systems are like. It functions very similar to Grade 1 to 12.  School is mandatory for children from the age of 6 to the age of 15.  School is free for Thai nationals for all schooling, not just the compulsory levels. Parent’s may have to pay a small fee for some supplies but all children need to have a standard uniform to attend school.  The schools are set up in the following 4 sections and further divided into different levels:

Pre-School		Primary School		Secondary School		Post-Secondary School
Pre-School Playgroup	2-3 Years of age	Prathom 1	6 Years	Matthayom 1	12 Years	University or College
Kindergarten	3-5 Years of Age	Prathom 2	7 Years	Matthayom 2	13 Years	To Enter this level, All students must complete Level M6 and pass the “Central University Admission Exam”
This Level is Optional for children to attend. Children do not need to attend to move to the Primary level		Prathom 3	8 Years	Mathayom 3	14 Years
		Prathom 4	9 Years	Mathayom 4	15 Years
		Prathom 5	10 Years	Mathayom 5	16 Years
		Prathom 6	11 Years	Mathayom 6	17 Years

In the Secondary or Mathayom Level, all children must attend to the 3^rd level.  It is optional for levels 4 to 6.  From Primary School through the Secondary School, students must take a year end test that they must pass to move to the next level.  If they do not pass, the children have the option of taking the year over again or going to summer school but they still need to pass this year end test.

The following are the five areas that are generally found in the Government School Curriculum:

1)       Basic skills in Thai language and mathematics

2)       Life experiences including social studies, natural science, health education, citizenship, conservation

3)       Character development including moral education, physical education, music and performing arts, art education

4)       Special experience (for grades five to six) involving English language or special vocational skills relevant to the needs of the community

5)       Thai studies (except in preschools)

Matthayom 4 to 6 is considered the Upper Secondary level of schooling. This level is divided into an academic and a vocational stream. These choices include:

-          Academic Upper Secondary Schools

o    Children who attend to these schools tend to enter a University

-          Vocational Upper Secondary Schools

o    Children who attend to these schools are prepared for employment or further studies.

Once a student enters the Post-Secondary or Higher Education Institutions, they have a choice of the type of institution they wish to enter.  These include:

-          University

-          Technical Institute

-          College

-          Vocational College

-          Teacher College