Student networks from 27 universities throughout Thailand have expressed disapproval of U-NET, a new standardized test for graduating students to start later this year.
Designed by the famous National Institute of Educational Testing Service, the U-NET aims to evaluate undergraduate seniors in Thai/English communication skills, media literacy and critical thinking.
Complaints from students however say the exam is unnecessary and often redundant because many programs already require seniors to take such exams, such as engineering and education. They also don’t have much confidence in the test maker, which is famous for its “stupid” questions on university entrance exams.
The test will be given only at universities that participate, and the institute has been promoting the test and urging universities – and prospective employers – to adopt it.
So far, Morning News reported 27 student groups have spoken out against the test from well-known institutes such as Chulalongkorn, Thammasat, Mahidol, and Kasetsart universities.
According to Morning News, last year’s standardized exam for health studies asked Mathayom 6 students, “Which situation is the most dangerous?” Choices included:
a) having a birthday party at a pub
b) drunk driving
c) hanging out with motorcycle racers
d) letting a distracted gas station employee fill your tank
e) fastening seatbelts immediately when spotting traffic police.
The test writer seems in need of some of that critical thinking, and if this is what they think high school grads need to succeed, the students’ concern comes as no surprise.
Tadchon Klinchamni, student body president of Kasetsart University, said the student committee will submit a letter to the university’s management board discouraging them from adopting U-NET.
He added the committee feels the test will not benefit anyone except tutorial schools and will be another distraction for seniors.
The final decision whether or not to adopt the test is up to the universities.
The testing institute is marketing the test to employers. If companies began using the test in its hiring decisions, U-NET’s adoption at universities would be all but assured.
Exam preparation and a culture of “study for the test” are trademark criticisms of Thailand’s education system, where earning scores is a greater priority than gaining knowledge. U-NET seems rightly condemned as making the problem worse.
So far more than 43,000 people have signed a petition at Change.org to push the organization to cancel the U-NET exam.
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