Most students back class cuts, poll finds

Most students recently surveyed by Chulalongkorn University back the government’s class-hour reduction pilot project and play down worries over having less time to devote to their studies.

Of the 2,089 mostly lower and upper secondary school students surveyed, 76.4% agree with the cuts to in-class learning and increase in extra curricular classes after school, said Bancha Chalaphirom, dean of the Faculty of Education, which conducted the poll.

The survey also found 58.7% are not concerned about possible effects on their learning performance if they are not required to attend afternoon classes.

The Education Ministry plans a twohour cut for state-run schools, but it has not clarified if students are allowed to leave school at 2pm or must join afterschool activities until 4pm.

According to the faculty, students from wealthy families want schools to allow them to leave so they can attend tutorial schools to focus on certain subjects.

Despite the survey showing student support for the policy, the proposal for class-hour cuts has drawn concern from the Tutorial Schools Executives and Teachers Association.

The group earlier said students with poor grades may lag behind their friends as a result of fewer classes, and need extra tutoring.

However, 75.6% of respondents insisted they want a break from hard studies and the policy will “make them happier at school”, Mr Bancha said.

Happiness is a key issue to emerge in the survey as the faculty, which interviewed students under its Education Watch project, wants to study how students will manage their time if their regular classes end earlier.

The students rated the top three activities they want to do most in the afternoon. Activities like drawing and drama came first, followed respectively by time to do homework, and pastimes that are relevant to their daily lives like cooking.