Free Education For Special-needs Students

[webfact]

Help for special-needs students

All students with special needs would be helped from May onwards with free education to bachelor degree level at state and private universities, Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said Thursday.

Jurin has assigned educational institutes to complete within 120 days a plan to recruit the special-needs students, after which the ministry would evaluate if the institute was ready for the task. For children in the troubled southern provinces, he said a committee of local educational administrators was overseeing the area's education to boost students' academic performance.

His comment was made at a meeting Thursday of the Thai Student Council, which had raised concerns over the special-needs students' lack of educational materials - and also the need for specially trained teachers on the southern border where students' safety was a problem.

-- The Nation 2010-01-08

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[animatic]

A great thing if it comes to pass.

There has been a crying need for this.

Our child's school has created a special needs annex with local and gov. support.

A very worthy thing and it's for ANY child needing special help,

and not be kept hidden away in shame.

Good for you Kun Jurin.

[Credo]

I hope it doesn't become a dumping ground.

[Davidusaf99]

I am sure there is a conspiracy by the Thai-Chinese/military/business elite somewhere in this story. Help me find it TV!

[junglist]

I pray this comes to pass.

[Scott]

I doubt there is a conspiracy. The difficulty becomes in implementing such a program and making sure the right students are in the program. But for now, it's good to hear they are at least thinking about the education of the less fortunate.

[eek]

Well said Scott. It is great to read steps being taken, but does make me wonder what the criteria will be and how they will go about choosing the candidates.

[slimdog]

But for now, it's good to hear they are at least thinking about the education of the less fortunate.

Without taking anything away from Jurin, who I believe is an extremely good Minister of Education, he (or his Successor) are Constitutionally bound to implement this program.

Section 49.

A person shall enjoy an equal right to receive education for the duration of not less than twelve years which shall be provided by the State thoroughly, up to the quality, and without charge.

The indigent, the disabled, persons of infirmity or persons suffering a state of difficulty shall be accorded the right under paragraph one and entitled to such support from the State as to enable them to receive education comparable to that received by other persons.

The provision of education by professional organisations or the private sector, alternative education by the people, selftuition and life-long learning shall be protected and promoted by the State as appropriate.

[Me&MrsJones]

This will never work. There is not enough space to accomodate them all.

[Bearhawk07]

Special Education is about individualizing students and their lesson plans. It requires technical assessment tools and great flexibility on the part of the school and teachers. Individual programs are designed to take into consideration the students strengths and weaknesses. These programs have to be designed, understood and applied and each one is different.

This all requires special skills, higher level reasoning and creativity on the part of the special educators. Most importantly it requires that the school and educators make major modifications on an individual basis

[bina]

Special Education is about individualizing students and their lesson plans

depends on which country u are living in. but what u say is correct in general.

thailands educational system is in general not so wonderful, and upcountry its horrible. both 'regular' and 'special needs' shcools and students need help i.e money and resources.

and not all countries do individualized plans for special needs kids ... not all special needs kids are in regualr schools or classes. how many thai schools have a lift for a child in a wheel chair? what about special education teachers , when thai teachers are atill using corporal punishment on 'slow' students? while in korat, i had a difficult time explaining to a rather young, gung ho, seemingly updated thai teacher about my daughter's learnng disibilities and her class set up (here in israel)... the intent is nice but the path is oh so very very very long......

bina

israel