Thai govt begins satellite-based teaching programme for small schools

BANGKOK, November 3 (TNA) - The Education Ministry has launched satellite-based teaching to about 15,000 small schools as the second school term of the academic year opened Monday. The 1.3 billion baht project is aimed at providing students with standard educational services. Deputy Education Minister Surachet Chaiwong said the project would improve education using satellite-based teaching services for small schools where teaching quality had been limited. The budget was spent installing satellite TV equipment at about 1,400 schools and improving existing equipment at other schools for the distance learning services. The project connects 15,369 small schools nationwide to the service, providing more than 1 million students with quality education. The project was developed in another project that His Majesty the King initiated in 1995. Under the former project, teaching at Wang Klai Kang Won School in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin was broadcast to schools nationwide. Research found that the original project achieved obvious improvements in the learning of students. Under the new project, students have larger televisions and school management can store teaching in memory boxes and play it back for students. (TNA)