Eleven professional councils have proposed changes to the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Bill to stop it stripping them of their authority and grant more autonomy to educational institutions.
The bill is intended to solve the problems of low-quality graduates by standardising curricula across the nation and improving the quality of teaching they receive.
However, it does not allow the councils to make changes to the teaching courses, a freedom they currently enjoy as the ministry grants them each the power to control and regulate their respective curricula so that graduates reach a certain standard of competence.
They claim any changes will upset the apple cart and put the public at risk.
"The councils have a duty and responsibility to protect the public by ensuring that graduates in important occupations meet national standards in terms of providing professional services," said Tassana Boontong, president of the Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council.
"We also have a responsibility to ensure graduates have the necessary knowledge to develop a career," she said.
"The bill clearly limits the councils' responsibility solely based on due process and ethics, but we are not allowed to make adjustments to the curriculum in ways we see fit," she added.
Section 64 of the Higher Education Bill states that each council must propose opinions that contribute to the standardisation of their profession, but it does not grant them the power to certify or directly guide curricula.
Meanwhile, Section 65 states they cannot publish regulations or guidelines concerning the procedural requirements for certifying licences in their respective professions, nor can they interfere with the teaching provided by institutes of higher education.
"The bill is of great concern because each council already has its own set of rules and regulations under the constitution, and the new bill, which aims to encapsulate the entire system into one, will inevitably misconstrue and intercept existing bylaws," said Jatuporn Krajaisri, president of the Veterinary Council.
Another key part of the bill is Section 66, which states that if the board of any institution of higher education feels that a professional council is interfering with its work, the Office of the Higher Education Commission (Ohec) has the right to take disciplinary action against them.
"My chief concern is the use of the word 'meddle', which is open to interpretation," said Paisal Kangwolkij, chairman of the Dental Council.
"To think that interference isn't necessary, bear in mind that many dentists pay around 10 million baht to complete their licence. If we put the direction of their education solely in their hands, would that guarantee they are successful?"
"Another important point is that if you fail their standardised test, it's pretty much over for you in this field."
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