Homepage > Thai Youth Issues > Giving up school to earn money

Date: May 18, 2001, The Nation

Instead of enjoying back-to-school festivities yesterday, 12 year old Namwan had to say goodbye to formal education and devote herself to working in scrapyards because of her family’s lack of money.

Namwan, or Kannikar sae Tae, completed her primary education last semester at Wat Pak Bor Primary School but her hopes to become a seventh grader this new semester that kicked off yesterday were dashed when her father could not afford to buy her study materials.

“I want to continue studying like my friends but I don’t have the money. I always thought that if I could get a higher education, I’d be a teacher,” the girl said.

Her family’s financial struggles started in 1996 when her father, Kriangsak, was laid off by his company. He later lost his savings in trades, plunging the family into greater difficulties and since then, they have had to work as scavengers.

Although Namwan had to work after school till past midnight, she used to have a life as a student, a studious one as described by her teacher. But things will not be the same anymore because from now on, she will not be a student but a working child.

Kaneungnit Weerapornbundit, Namwan’s homeroom teacher at Wat Pak Bor School, said Namwan’s case was unfortunate, as she had to drop out despite being a very good learner.

“Her family really has no money to support her and our school cannot help much because we have only primary grades,” she said.

The teacher advised Namwan to look into nonformal education or to study whenever her family was ready, saying that financial problems could affect the student a lot and this could even result in a halffinished degree. “Although the government gives free education in terms of tuition, there’s the cost of study materials such as textbooks which can add up to at least Bt3,000,” Kaneungnit said.

Kriangsak, Namwan’s father, said he would love to see his daughter study at a higher level but he could not do anything except admit that he was unable to pay for her education.

“Other parents have paid between Bt4,000 and Bt5,000 to have their children study in seventh grade (Mathayom 1) but I couldn’t come up with that much money,” he said. His family could only make about Bt200 to Bt300 a day, he added.

Kriangsak said he had taught Namwan to be patient and told her that she could study whenever the opportunity came her way.

Namwan’s fouryearold brother is still too young to go to school, but his future education is in doubt because of the family’s financial predicament.

Anan Paengnoy

The Nation