Thai Students Get Second Chance Via Obec

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Students get second chance via Obec

Saowanee Nimpanprayungwong,

Supinda na Mahachai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In response to Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda's suggestion, the Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) will start offering afternoon and weekend courses for students who wish to continue their studies at the seniors/econdary level at their old, well known schools.

This solution is only meant for five schools, namely Bodindecha (Sing Singhaseni) School, Nawamin Rachinutis Suankularb Pathum Thani School, Udon Pittayanukul School, Udon Pichairak Pittaya School and Satrirachinuthit School.

"Mathayom 3 graduates from these schools have until Tuesday to register if they wish to further their studies," Obec secretary general Chinnapat Bhumirat said yesterday.

This solution came after Chinnapat met with Prem's close aide on Wednesday.

Owing to Obec's policy to have secondary schools put 20 per cent of the seats at Matthayom4 level up for grabs via entrance exams, many Mathayom3 graduates have lost their chance to continue studying at their old schools, causing much grief to them and their parents.

Some parents even staged a hunger strike against Bodindecha School, and took their cause to Prem after their demands were not heard.

Chinnapat said Prem had asked Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit to look into the matter. "The government should be able to solve this problem, because helping young people is helping the nation," Prem was quoted as telling Yongyuth.

After hearing of Prem's suggestion, Chinnapat met the elder statesman's close aide and decided to come up with this solution.

"We hope this will stop the problem from prolonging, while not breaking our rules," he said.

According to Education Minister Suchart Tadathamrongvej, Obec has made it mandatory for secondary schools to make 20 per cent of Mathayom4 seats available to others because it will encourage their students to study harder and also offer rural students a greater opportunity to enter better educational institutions.

Chinnapat said readmitted students would need to attend classes from noon to 5pm during weekdays and from 8am till noon on Saturdays and Sundays.

According to a representative of protesting parents from Udon Pittayanukul School, 187 Mathayom3 graduates will soon register for afternoon and weekend courses.

Director of Nawamin Rachinutis Suankularb Pathum Thani School said he and his teaching staff were willing to embrace this solution because the pressure from the problem was far too intense.

"Up to 80 students here have lost the chance to continue studying, but we can readmit them to these special courses," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-06-02