New Guidelines Introduced for Safer School Trips

[webfact]

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) has introduced six critical guidelines for private schools across Thailand regarding student safety during off-campus trips.

 

The new measures come after a tragic bus fire on October 1, 2024, during a school field trip, which resulted in multiple fatalities. The guidelines align with the Ministry of Education’s policies to improve safety for students and teachers.

 

The guidelines include requirements for vehicle inspections, the presence of parents for younger students, limiting travel to nearby locations, providing travel insurance, conducting emergency drills, and securing official permission at least three days before a trip. Provincial private education offices have also been instructed to review trips and cancel any deemed unsafe.

The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has also outlined 16 additional guidelines for public schools, which include ensuring vehicle safety, conducting emergency response drills, and using licensed transport providers with appropriate insurance coverage. These measures are expected to enhance overall safety for students during school trips.

 

The Ministry of Education has formed a working group to develop further safety measures following the bus fire incident. The group is focused on creating comprehensive safety protocols for school activities and trips, drawing from international best practices to protect students and those accompanying them on each field trip. 

 

by Krajangwit Johjit

 

Source: NNT 

-- 2024-10-15

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

How about inspecting all vehicles on Thai roads and removing any vehicle which is not good enough (anymore)?

And fine or jail owners of vehicles with risky modifications.

Just do it! 

[mdr224]

The land of kneejerk reactions and no preventative measures

[MikeandDow]

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) has introduced six critical guidelines for private schools across Thailand regarding student safety during off-campus trips.

 

The new measures come after a tragic bus fire on October 1, 2024, during a school field trip, which resulted in multiple fatalities. The guidelines align with the Ministry of Education’s policies to improve safety for students and teachers.

 

The guidelines include requirements for vehicle inspections, the presence of parents for younger students, limiting travel to nearby locations, providing travel insurance, conducting emergency drills, and securing official permission at least three days before a trip. Provincial private education offices have also been instructed to review trips and cancel any deemed unsafe.

 

The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has also outlined 16 additional guidelines for public schools, which include ensuring vehicle safety, conducting emergency response drills, and using licensed transport providers with appropriate insurance coverage. These measures are expected to enhance overall safety for students during school trips.

 

The Ministry of Education has formed a working group to develop further safety measures following the bus fire incident. The group is focused on creating comprehensive safety protocols for school activities and trips, drawing from international best practices to protect students and those accompanying them on each field trip. 

 

by Krajangwit Johjit

 

Source: NNT 

-- 2024-10-15

 

 

What are the Guidelines does not say ??  Who is responsible for the compliance to the guidelines ??? Guidelines Are Not mandatory 

[rocketboy2]

Will all amount to just hot air in a years time.

Carry on regardless as usual. 

[JoePai]

What about the overcrowded Baht Buses taking the kids to school, some having to hold on to the outside of the pickup ?

[MikeandDow]

Its All for show, no enforcement. Why is there no Road safety taught at schools,

[motdaeng]

47 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Its All for show, no enforcement. Why is there no Road safety taught at schools,

 

"Why is there no Road safety taught at schools" ...

it’s assumed to be common sense, but safety, consideration, and caution aren’t things thai culture typically emphasizes ... 

[Geoffggi]

Don't forget to include qualified & certified Public Service Vehicle Drivers with up to date medicals

[MikeandDow]

28 minutes ago, motdaeng said:

 

"Why is there no Road safety taught at schools" ...

it’s assumed to be common sense, but safety, consideration, and caution aren’t things thai culture typically emphasizes ... 

Well i Think your Assumption is Totally wrong by the number of deaths on the roads  or are you saying Thais don't have common sense. You are right in this Statement Quote "caution aren’t things thai culture typically emphasizes" which Thai culture needs to change If it does not the road deaths will continue 

Please don't bold my post it is against the forum rules

[Presnock]

4 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Well i Think your Assumption is Totally wrong by the number of deaths on the roads  or are you saying Thais don't have common sense. You are right in this Statement Quote "caution aren’t things thai culture typically emphasizes" which Thai culture needs to change If it does not the road deaths will continue 

Please don't bold my post it is against the forum rules

Problem is the attitude of Buddhist being fatalistic in that what will happen will happen because of a former life or whatever and so they accept anything at any time whether it be dangerous or not, that whatever happens is their destiny and they can't alter it at all.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

Its All for show, no enforcement. Why is there no Road safety taught at schools,

 

100% agree....    There are key life skills that can be taught in schools 

 

1) Water Safety

2) Road Safety 

3) Elecrtical Safety

4) Basic First Aid

 

1 - Drowning is the leading cause of deaths in Thailand of children under 15  years old.

- there may not be the facilities or funding to teach all children to swim - neverthess 'dry side skills and knowledge' can be taught, highliing the risks of even a small upcountry pond.

 

2 - This one is obvious - from crossing the road, to not using phones while riding etc, driving safely - basic standards can be taught in schools, importance of wearing of helmets, seatbelts etc (as far as I'm aware, it is only the USA that has drivers Ed in schools).

 

3 - This one slips through the gaps in these discussions, however the awareness of electrical safety in Thailand is very poor - teach kids the invisible risks.

 

4 - There is no reason why basic first aid, CPR etc cannot be used in schools.

 

 

---------

 

In summary, every child in Thailand will grow up and to some extent become exposed to the above hazards - in contrast trigonometry, pythagorus or covalent bonding may not matter to the majority ever in their lives - thats not to say these things don't matter - but life skills are as important, yet get overlooked for the 'transitional education subjects'... 

[Deserted]

They must surely know many will find ways around all this and the bribes will continue. 

[ikke1959]

The problems are not solved this way.. They should be enforced a good inspection that is not corrupt, a good working LTD department that knows how ancient some busses are and they should be forbidden to drive anymore, although they look almost new... and many more. That will do the job... Anyway there is much more for student safety to as overloaded vans, crazy busdrivers, and open cars etc.... Make Thailand safer is nice to say but impossible to do

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

What are the Guidelines does not say ??  Who is responsible for the compliance to the guidelines ??? Guidelines Are Not mandatory 

 

Agreed... 

- If the guidelines hold the owners of the bus companies responsible and authorities are proven to act on this - this will force the shift.

 

Until then, the blame always on the driver who runs... 

 

And... what of the officials taking bribes for 'inspecting and clearing' clearly dangerous vehicles ?

[MikeandDow]

3 minutes ago, Presnock said:

Problem is the attitude of Buddhist being fatalistic in that what will happen will happen because of a former life or whatever and so they accept anything at any time whether it be dangerous or not, that whatever happens is their destiny and they can't alter it at all.

Well that is all in good  all i am saying is road safety should be taught at schools if they want a go commit suicide all well and good and keep the Buddhist faith  but i would lay odds that it would save lives

[Rampant Rabbit]

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

Well i Think your Assumption is Totally wrong by the number of deaths on the roads  or are you saying Thais don't have common sense. You are right in this Statement Quote "caution aren’t things thai culture typically emphasizes" which Thai culture needs to change If it does not the road deaths will continue 

Please don't bold my post it is against the forum rules

painfully  petty.

[MikeandDow]

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

100% agree....    There are key life skills that can be taught in schools 

 

1) Water Safety

2) Road Safety 

3) Elecrtical Safety

4) Basic First Aid

 

1 - Drowning is the leading cause of deaths in Thailand of children under 15  years old.

- there may not be the facilities or funding to teach all children to swim - neverthess 'dry side skills and knowledge' can be taught, highliing the risks of even a small upcountry pond.

 

2 - This one is obvious - from crossing the road, to not using phones while riding etc, driving safely - basic standards can be taught in schools, importance of wearing of helmets, seatbelts etc (as far as I'm aware, it is only the USA that has drivers Ed in schools).

 

3 - This one slips through the gaps in these discussions, however the awareness of electrical safety in Thailand is very poor - teach kids the invisible risks.

 

4 - There is no reason why basic first aid, CPR etc cannot be used in schools.

 

 

---------

 

In summary, every child in Thailand will grow up and to some extent become exposed to the above hazards - in contrast trigonometry, pythagorus or covalent bonding may not matter to the majority ever in their lives - thats not to say these things don't matter - but life skills are as important, yet get overlooked for the 'transitional education subjects'... 

Wow did not think i would say this good post and 100% spot on

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, mdr224 said:

The land of kneejerk reactions and no preventative measures

 

So very sadly true... 

 

... Just look at all the knee-jerk reactions after the Dr was killed on the pedestrian crossing.

 

A few were painted red, lots of announcements and photo opportunities for the offiicals and politicians... 

 

I've not noticed very little if any improvement at crossings...  perhaps a slight improvement of more people having a greater understanding of what they are for  so people 'may' yield if forced to, but so many who blow through at speed without a care.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

Well that is all in good  all i am saying is road safety should be taught at schools if they want a go commit suicide all well and good and keep the Buddhist faith  but i would lay odds that it would save lives

 

It can certainly do no harm !!   and I agree... IF basic safety (road safety, water safety, electrical safety, First Aid) were taught at schools.... 

 

With absolutely certainty lives would be saved...   Even if it meant the decision to wear a seatbelt or a helmet, there alone 1000's of lives would be saved each year.

 

[MikeandDow]

 The schools have to take a lot of the blame for this !!  I believe most schools have a occupational and heath office That job included Safety,  There should be a tender process for bus hire the school has the commitment to do its due diligence and check all documentation in regard to busses, it should have included bus certification driver certification safety records maintenance records ect   and prior to boarding the school should have done a Risk management assessment 

[lordgrinz]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

How about inspecting all vehicles on Thai roads and removing any vehicle which is not good enough (anymore)?

And fine or jail owners of vehicles with risky modifications.

Just do it! 

 

Yeah, start with the school minibuses where the drivers have disabled the seatbelts with zipties. 

[lordgrinz]

24 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

 The schools have to take a lot of the blame for this !!  I believe most schools have a occupational and heath office That job included Safety,  There should be a tender process for bus hire the school has the commitment to do its due diligence and check all documentation in regard to busses, it should have included bus certification driver certification safety records maintenance records ect   and prior to boarding the school should have done a Risk management assessment 

 

TIT.....nobody cares about safety, never have, and never will. When the parents of the children don't even care about safety in their own private lives, and drive like lunatics while teaching their kids the same bad habits, we shouldn't expect them to champion any safety initiatives.

[MikeandDow]

1 minute ago, lordgrinz said:

 

TIT.....nobody cares about safety, never have, and never will. When the parents of the children don't even care about safety in their own private lives, and drive like lunatics while teaching their kids the same bad habits, we shouldn't expect them to champion any safety initiatives.

yes tend to agree !!its shameful

[brianthainess]

1 hour ago, motdaeng said:

 

"Why is there no Road safety taught at schools" ...

it’s assumed to be common sense, but safety, consideration, and caution aren’t things thai culture typically emphasizes ... 

Rubbish we were taught of road safety when I was in junior school 60+ years ago and there was little traffic in those days. But there again that was the UK.

(We were also taught how to swim.)

[brianthainess]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

has introduced six critical guidelines for private schools across Thailand regarding student safety during off-campus trips.

So public schools don't give a dam ?

[brianthainess]

59 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

It can certainly do no harm !!   and I agree... IF basic safety (road safety, water safety, electrical safety, First Aid) were taught at schools.... 

 

With absolutely certainty lives would be saved...   Even if it meant the decision to wear a seatbelt or a helmet, there alone 1000's of lives would be saved each year.

 

Agree

[brianthainess]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

How about inspecting all vehicles on Thai roads and removing any vehicle which is not good enough (anymore)?

And fine or jail owners of vehicles with risky modifications.

Just do it! 

What's the point the inspectors have no idea how to inspect any vehicle correctly anyway.

[brianthainess]

And here we are again today with another bus accident, because the driver was to close to a pig truck when it braked, no seat belts worn by the students and the side door would not open.  Unless driving skills improve, test examiners improve and vehicle inspectors improve then the carnage will continue. Examiners and Testers need training from the real world, nobody here has a clue what is needed. 

[OneMoreFarang]

6 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

What's the point the inspectors have no idea how to inspect any vehicle correctly anyway.

 

Imagine those inspectors would be held responsible for allowing vehicles on the roads which shouldn't be on the roads.

I am sure that would motivate them real fast.