TFT Roundtable Talk x Bangkok Metropolitan Administration: Let’s Talk About Our Education Problem with TFT Alumni and BMA
With the goal to open a space for our alumni to share and exchange perspectives and collectively seek solutions for our educational problem, Teach For Thailand organized the TFT Roundtable Talk on 25 March 2023. Besides more than 10 alumni from various cohorts, we were very honored to have Sanon Wangsangboon (Deputy Governor of Bangkok), Vichitapol Pholphok (founder and CEO of Teach For Thailand Foundation), and candidates of the 10th cohort of our Fellowship Program joining the event.
Difference between “Doer” and “Commentator”
When it comes to the Fellowship Program, many may first think of our fellows, who are currently teaching in schools across the country. But let us not forget about another very important player; our alumni, whom we have been cultivating and supporting over the past 10 years.
During the entire conversation, it was evident that all alumni have a tremendous amount of drive to be doers. “When asking about education problems, most people can easily say what they are, but how many people actually want to dive in, to try to fix those problems, rather than just giving out comments? So I want to be that person, to understand what’s going on and at least give it a try” Nunu-Tansara Nawatrakarn, one of the alumni shared her reason for joining cohort 6 of the Fellowship Program.
Besides getting to be the “Doers” for 2 whole years, the challenges that fellows have to overcome daily would push them to develop their potential and attitudes at an incredible speed. Nungning-Natchaya Danpho, cohort 6 alumnus echoed that “Teach For Thailand has a very good support system and the staff would basically plant seeds for you to believe that you can handle any challenge in the world.”
Truly understand the root cause before making any changes
The most important thing that our Fellowship Program provides, besides the opportunity to make an impact and valuable leadership skills, is a true understanding of the education problems. We believe that before making any changes, one needs first to understand the root cause of the education problem. And the best way to do so is to put oneself in the school because one cannot possibly understand every aspect to solve such a complex problem using just second-hand information. It was clear that every alumnus joining the event possesses a deep understanding of our educational system and problems, which all came from their experience working beside teachers in the system for 2 whole years.
Seeing that students were not getting quality opportunities, parents did not have enough resources, and teachers were limited by the system, Sai-Sirikan Kaewkongthong, an alumnus from cohort 1, saw that the main problem was the entire ecosystem both within and outside the school. Seeing that teachers in high-need schools were mostly teaching with the sole purpose of getting their students to pass the O-Net test without any consideration of other life skills, Meow-Sirin Tangphonpaiboon, an alumnus from cohort 2, saw that the problem was in our assessment system which has not yet been planned to align with our long term development strategy. Seeing the potential in all local stakeholders through his experience as a fellow who worked closely with parents and community members, Phoom Pentrakul, an alumnus from cohort 4, saw that in addition to injecting more resources, we should also find ways to leverage existing resources.
Once an educational leader, always an educational leader
These young leaders, regardless of their backgrounds, are inspired after experiencing the issues firsthand, and many remain in the education sector, even after they complete the Fellowship Program, to influence changes in our education system. Although graduated from Engineering Faculty, Chulalongkorn University, Team-Dechawut Worrapun, is now a school development project officer of Siam Kalamajon Foundation. Although graduated from Political Science Faculty, Thammasat University, Fluke-Chirawut Chitjak is now an academician at the Office of the Basic Education Commission. Although graduated from Public Health Faculty, Mahidol University, Mod-Thamonwan Unprasert is now the teacher development officer and nutritionist at Yuvabadhana Foundation’s Food for Good Project.
Find mutual ground across sectors to move forward
In addition to sharing experiences as fellows and their career journeys, the TFT Roundtable Talk also provides an opportunity for the alumni to find mutual ground and approaches to solve our education problems through their roles and resources in their organizations. “Having a network of alumni in every sector makes us understand that although each alumnus cannot be under the same roof, it’s not that they can’t work together … We need a diverse network where all can voice their opinions, listen to each other, and take action. Today is the starting point for us to understand how we can work together to drive for better education and quality of life” Supakiat Yomboon, Alumni Network Manager and alumnus from cohort 1 explained the importance and power of our alumni who are currently working in various sectors.
BMA is ready to support any collaboration
Sanon Wangsrangboon strongly admired our model. He recalled the day he spoke with Wendy Kopp (founder and CEO of Teach For All) that the goal of the organization is to create “leaders” who start their career as teachers for 2 years and use these 2 years as the beginning of a lifelong journey to influence changes in the education system. “Peru’s Ministry of Education recruited quite a few Teach For Peru Alumni. I dream of having Teach For Thailand Alumni by my side as I work to better Bangkok.”
Since the Deputy Governor is also one of those who did not graduate from the Education Faculty but has a strong interest in education, the activity with our alumni was quite eye-opening because it was full of ideas from various viewpoints that would lead to collaboration, which also align with BMA’s direction.
“I can feel the passion from each of the alumni and I want to collaborate to make an impact on our education system … I think you should hold this kind of event more often. I can bring in the plans that we have for everyone to pitch in their opinions. I think everyone has the potential to help out” said the Deputy Governor.
Hearing this makes us so proud that our alumni have become the front row in the battle against education problems. We are glad that our determination over the past 10 years has created more than 200 quality educational personnel, who have an impact on over 100,000 Thai children per year, who will work together to overcome obstacles and create change for Thai education, who will not allow “destiny” to impede anyone’s educational future. We are truly proud of you, “Teach For Thailand Alumni.”
