Last Saturday, a crowd of children with their families, as well as politicians and their supporters, braved the blistering summer heat to gather at the "Candidate Classroom" event where representatives of six political parties discussed Thai education and the rights of children within schools. Styled as a game show, "Candidate Classroom" saw politicians face off in a lively debate with cheers, boos and music filling the One Arena at Stadium One in Bangkok.
"Candidate Classroom" was organised by Bad Student, an adolescent-led group that has been active in campaigning for students' rights within educational institutions since 2020. The group is supported by Save the Children Thailand through its child rights governance programme, which aims to empower and strengthen children and youth participation in the civic space.
With the general election approaching fast, there have been several political debates and rallies popping up nationwide in the past few weeks. However, they have been mostly aimed at eligible voters. The election will affect the direction of national policies, including the education system which is central to children's lives and future. Being too young to vote, children -- despite being at the heart of this issue -- are often left out of having a say in determining policies that concern them.
So it was a refreshing sight to see representatives from the Chartpattanakla Party, Chartthaipattana Party, Thai Pakdee Party, Pheu Thai Party, Move Forward Party and Thai Sang Thai Party onstage listening to students' problems and questions, and sharing their vision with the audience and those who tuned in online. The parties present were made up of both liberals and conservatives. Reportedly, the government-affiliated United Thai Nation Party and Palang Pracharath Party were also contacted but did not send any representatives.
DIVERGING VIEWPOINTS
In their campaigns, some parties announced their education policies, which range from offering free education, free lunch and improved distance learning to less control over school uniforms and more. But do these policies really address what students want?
According to an online poll by Bad Student, the top issue plaguing students is the problematic curriculum. This is followed by disparity, corporal punishment, school environment, sub-standard teachers, hairstyle rules, uniforms and too many hours of studying, respectively.
It was unsurprising that the curriculum emerged on top. Just recently, the content of Thai textbooks Pasa Patee for grades 1 to 6 went viral online for romanticising poverty, downplaying bullying, promoting negative attitudes towards differing opinions and more. The textbook was commissioned by the Office of the Basic Education Commission. Kunthida Rungruengkiat from Move Forward Party criticised the textbooks' controversial and outdated views, demanding accountability from the Ministry of Education for approving such content for its in-house textbooks which are being used widely in schools. Furthermore, other candidates added that the current curriculum doesn't meet international standards, and could be more helpful with students' careers and futures if both subjects and content are revised.
Another heated topic was school uniforms. While most of the candidates felt students should be allowed to choose what they wear to school, only Varong Dejkitvikrom of the Thai Pakdee Party disagreed. Varong, who was all for lifting the Thai curriculum to be of a global standard, said school uniforms have to be enforced to promote unity and discipline.
There was also the issue of protests. In recent years, Thai children and youth have become increasingly active in political participation and calling for their own rights, with many staging peaceful assemblies from even within school grounds and engaging in activism. Some were met with repercussions. This includes an incident where Yok, a 15-year-old girl, is now being detained for allegedly defaming the monarchy.
When asked if they supported children exercising their right to protest, the candidates concurred, except for Varong again.
The head of the conservative and royalist Thai Pakdee Party said he did not mind children following their parents to protest, but felt they lacked the maturity to go out and protest of their own will.
Teerapa Pirohakul from Pheu Thai Party clapped back that children can think for themselves.
"The job of schools is to present facts to children and let them weigh the options whether they should or should not do things. So, telling them not to go out [to protest] is limiting their freedom of expression," Teerapa said.
Throughout their long discussions, the candidates agreed to disagree on several things. However, one thing they unanimously agreed on was that students should have a greater say in how their schools are run.
Interestingly, another thing they agreed on was that they would not send their own children and young family members to study at Thai public schools.
VOICE OF THE YOUNG
Tycoon, a 15-year-old student and member of Bad Student, said the most pressing concern for Thai education is that at its core, politicians have to believe that every child can develop into a quality person for society. Regardless of their status, every child deserves to have opportunities in life to start with.
He felt political parties have been trying to engage more with the younger generation. However, he said no one has really come up with truly inclusive and accessible policies for all students. He also wondered whether politicians take children's voices seriously considering that they can't vote yet.
"Children realise now that politics affects them. Everything that's happening in the country will affect their future," he said.
"Political parties have to recognise children as fellow citizens. Even if they don't have the right to vote now, they will grow up living in this society in the future. Children have different needs from adults. They require certain rights or child-specific policies. Political parties have yet to acknowledge that enough. I want to encourage all parties to pay more attention to education and child-related policies."
Tycoon added that children and youths have become more active and aware of politics as a result of the protests that took place in the past three years.
At the same time, while it seems children are speaking out more today, it's still not an easy thing for them to do.
"In reality, even in school, at home or out in society, children are still being oppressed, controlled and have their rights violated all the time."
Tycoon has high hopes that the upcoming election will bring a much-needed change to Thai society.
"I hope that it will be an election that brings Thailand back to democracy as it should be. We will not be under the military government any more."
On election day, he and the Bad Student group will be monitoring the election, and live-streaming their commentary and analysis on their Facebook page.
To eligible voters, he said: "Please go out and vote. No matter who people choose, I want to encourage them to go because I believe the best way to change this country and society is through the election."
For updates on Bad Student's activities, visit facebook.com/Badstudent.th. Video recordings of the "Candidate Classroom" event are also available on the Facebook page.
