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OF THE CHILDREN: 'Give us totally free education'
VOICE OF THE CHILDREN: 'Give us totally free education' Published on Nov 21, 2002 , The Nation An "absolutely'' free education for 12 years, native English teachers and computers top a students' wish list, a seminar involving 300 children from around the country has revealed. The students voiced their demands yesterday at a seminar organised by the government and non-government organisations for children in Bangkok. Although the government has implemented the 12-year free education initiative, children said they still had to pay for some tuition fees, textbooks, school uniforms and some fees for school activities. The seminar revealed there had been a Bt3.3 billion drop in funds allocated for education in the 2003 fiscal budget compared to the previous budget. Eighty per cent of education funding was spent on teachers' salaries and management costs. Children also said they wanted positive role models in the government and at home. Wallop Hemwang, a children's representative from Rayong, said that if adults overlooked the significance of instilling high values in children, the country would lose in the long term. "Combating corruption by punishing corrupters is not the way to solve problems at the root,'' he said. Children also view instilling them with religious and cultural values were as important as learning science and technology. Student Nattawut Santhong believed such an investment would breed love, good values and culture among children. Children said they realised that the English language was significant to their learning and their future, and Thai teachers could not provide them with the best English language education. Educational material that children want most is computers, followed by good library books. They said good quality children's programmes on television and radio was also lacking. While there were some good educational programmes on TV and radio, their time was not suitable for children, they said. Children also want to be involved more when it came to choosing the content of programme they watch. They also want a parliament for children so they can air their opinions. Sex education was also called for, with children calling on society to be more open-minded on the subject. Thai nationality for hill tribes children born in Thailand and providing buses that announce numbers for blind children were also discussed. Social reform advocate Prof Sem Pringpuangkaew handed out awards to five child rights activists at the seminar. Senator Wallop Tangkananurak was picked for politics, Nun Sansani Satiensut for religion, Niramol Methisuwakul for media, Ratchani Thongchai for NGOs, and Non Saengchan ws for protecting abused children. Napanisa Kaewmorakot, Warin Trino THE NATION |