Drastic plan to close technical schools in Bangkok to end student violence not viable: academics

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Drastic plan to close technical schools to end student violence not viable: academics

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

BANGKOK: -- A DRASTIC proposal to close Bangkok’s Pathumwan Institute of Technology and Rajamangala University of Technology’s Uthen Thawai to end decades of violence between students was not a viable solution, academics have said.

If the proposal were adopted, the schools would not enrol new students in the 2018 academic year, to prepare for the closure of the two schools in four years.

 

Pathumwan rector’s adviser Suebpong Muangchoo said the suggested closure would not solve the problem, which was based on a conflict between some “rogue” students and should be handled by police and related officials.

 

He said there were many other ways to solve the issue, such as adjusting curricula, so both schools’ students could engage in activities outside campus that respond to the labour market and the country’s needs.

 

Uthen Thawai campus committee member Piyawat Sanpanon also said the proposal was not a good solution because there were more good students than bad ones and the institute was trying to address the issue of violence and develop educational quality.

 

National Legislative Assembly member Somchai Sawangkarn said the two schools could instil good values in students and adjust class activities to let students from both schools get to know each other and study together.

 

The proposal to solve the decades-old violence was submitted early last month by former Chart Thai Pattana MP Lieutenant Prapas Limprapan to Deputy Education Minister Panadda Diskul. 

 

Besides calling for both institutes to stop student recruitment in the upcoming academic year, the proposal also urged lecturers and personnel to move to other institutes that were in need of staff. 

 

The two institutes’ location in downtown Bangkok could be capitalised upon to benefit society and remove bad memories involving the two schools’ history, the proposal said. The Uthen Thawai buildings could be returned to Chulalongkorn University, while Pathumwan’s buildings could be used for the expansion of a girls’ school, the proposal suggested.

 

Office of Higher Education Commission chief Supat Jampathong on August 24 passed the proposal to the two institutes’ councils, which are authorised to decide on implementing such changes.

 

The student brawls, which often take place in the downtown area and involve weapons such as guns, knives and small explosives, have led to the deaths and injuries of students as well as innocent bystanders while affecting public safety and the country’s reputation. 

 

The latest brawl between students from the two schools occurred on the National Stadium skytrain station’s elevated bridge on August 1 and led to two Uthen Thawai students being stabbed. One of the students was killed. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30326086

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-09-08

[nausea]

It's a good one as a threat, either solve this problem or we close you down.

[scorecard]

 

The academics teachers at these institutes are trying to fix the problem, so why didn't the school head, lecturers etc., do something 20 years ago.

 

There is a point that there are many good non-violent students. The teachers know which kids are involved in fights etc., why no action? 

 

Plus it's been said many times that some teachers at these places strongly encourage the students to fight and to be violent. But of course teachers can do no wrong.

 

The authorities are also to blame, they avoid prosecution and punishment, so the fights continue. The students who injure and kill other people should be punished, no question marks.

 

[George Bowman]

Years ago while working on a home project, I purchased a volt meter (in Thailand) in order to learn about house wiring as my knowledge of electricity is rather limited. The volt meter was the first obstacle.  It just so happened that friends of my Thai wife had stopped by to visit. Their 20-year old son was with them. The parents mentioned that he was going to graduate from an electronic trade school soon.

 

Perfect. I can ask the boy how this volt meter works. This soon to be graduate had no idea.

[ksamuiguy]

Close them all, reopen and screen /vet the applicants. Check police records.

Make them go through the registration and testing process again.

Yes we employed graduated from technical schools and never had a problem, but we did interview the prospective employees as well as required references.

 

4 of these employees were given time to attend further education and went on to graduate from university and have become Degreed  Engineers.

They are all employed as either Structural or Electrical  Engineers here in Thailand.

Interesting to note is None work for Thai Companies, all are employed by Foreign owned Companies.

[Bangkok Barry]

Do these students wear uniforms? If so, end the wearing of uniforms and no-one will know which college anyone attends.

[hobz]

6 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

The academics teachers at these institutes are trying to fix the problem, so why didn't the school head, lecturers etc., do something 20 years ago.

 

There is a point that there are many good non-violent students. The teachers know which kids are involved in fights etc., why no action? 

 

Plus it's been said many times that some teachers at these places strongly encourage the students to fight and to be violent. But of course teachers can do no wrong.

 

The authorities are also to blame, they avoid prosecution and punishment, so the fights continue. The students who injure and kill other people should be punished, no question marks.

 

The students involved are probably the same ones that smash their BMW:S into innocent people and getting away with a wai and a hefty fine... Think about it.. 

[nausea]

4 minutes ago, hobz said:

The students involved are probably the same ones that smash their BMW:S into innocent people and getting away with a wai and a hefty fine... Think about it.. 

I doubt it; wrong demographic.