Thailand's Basic Education Commission plans to increase study hours on Thainess and patriotism for primary and secondary school students for up to 40 hours per year. 

 

Kamol Rodklai, deputy director of the Office of Basic Education Commission told Manager website on Tuesday that it planned to increase study hours of the compulsory "civic duty" subjects to be in line with the policies of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to solve the nation's problem. 

 

As for Prathom Suksa 1-Matthayom 3 (Grade 1-9), civic duty subject would take 40 hours per year while Matthayom 4-6 (Grade 10-12) would take 80 hours throughout the three years. 

 

Previously the subject "civic duty" together with history subject makes up to 40 hours per year, but Kamol said the amount was not sufficient for the students to learn about the morality, discipline, and the strong belief in the nation, religion and the monarchy, hence the need to separate the subject for more focus.

 

He said the Basic Education Commission will also request international schools in Thailand to adjust their curriculum and put the patriotic lessons for Thai students. 

 

The revised textbooks are to be planned out next week, and should be ready to  implement by the second semester of the 2014 academic year. 

 

This week, the website of Ministry of Education released 35 Thai patriotic songs for the public to download. The song titles mostly comprise of the King Rama IX's self-composed songs and some are about historical national victory.