Since this was my first semester here, I assumed I had to teach the subjects listed in the course description of the “Fundamental Math” class I was assigned to teach . Even though I did not study some of the decidedly un-fundamental subjects until graduate school, I assumed I had to stick to the plan. Not surprisingly, the class was way to hard for the lazy, spoiled students, and the average on the midterm was about 50%.

After the midterm only about 20 of the 50 kids came regularly, so I figured the rest dropped out. As a reward for the “diligent” kids who remained, I made the final easy. I just got the results, and it turns out only ten kids dropped the class. So 20 kids just stopped coming, and still took the final. Not surprisingly, the average was even lower, less than 50%.

I wish I could fail most of them, but since this is Thailand, where everything looks perfect and beautiful, everybody has to pass. At least I’ll be able to give quite a few D’s.

But now I know better. The students only care about looking pretty and talking on their cell phones. The administrators only care about having a warm body in front of the class, and the money of the rich students’ families. Since nobody appreciates what I do, why should I exert any effort?

Next semester: we’ll start late (the kids all come late anyways), finish early (they all leave when they feel like it), and have no homework (they are too lazy to do it). I’ll be the most popular teacher here!