EC to promote democracy at schools



BANGKOK: -- The Election Commission has sought cooperation from the Education Ministry to play "Polamuang Penyai" (Citizens are Great) song before the morning national anthem song at all primary, secondary and pre-university schools to implant democracy ideology in the young generation.

An EC commissioner Pravich Ratanapien said the request was made after a meeting between officials of the EC and the ministry to exchange views on the promotion of good citizens.

He said at the meeting, the EC proposed five requests which included promotion of activities to promote democracy in schools, to establish democracy promotion centres and promote democracy in local adminstration, allow educational personnel to be staff of the centres, and cooperation in making CDs of “Citizens are Great” and distribute to all schools under the supervision of the Basic Education Commission and to play the song before the 8 am singing of the national anthem song.

Under the plan the EC will establish 5,888 democracy centres at schools by 2016. So far, 1,536 centres have been set up.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/ec-to-promote-democracy-at-schools


-- Thai PBS 2015-12-22

Looks like another member of the EC needs to be fired and go walk away with tears in his eyes.

There is already too many songs before school starts everyday

Democracy, you sure, not more kowtowing kneeling and generally being submissive to their betters?

The little general and the junta cheerleaders might have something to say about that as it is obvious they don't like that democracy stuff....

As Thais have NEVER known real democracy (or are ever likely to) what do they expect students to make of this new concept?

Edited December 22, 201510 yr by Always18

All this democracy education sounds great but what happens if students ask ' if democracy is so good and what the country needs why does the military regularly step in , take over and suspend it ' ?

I sincerely hope:

- There are printed materials to be handed out which are specific, clear, comprehensive, unambiguous and balanced.

- The teachers who teach it are experts at the subject and take a totally unbiased approach to the lectures.

- Even more important, the students are strongly encouraged to ask questions and make comments.

I sincerely hope:

- There are printed materials to be handed out which are specific, clear, comprehensive, unambiguous and balanced.

- The teachers who teach it are experts at the subject and take a totally unbiased approach to the lectures.

- Even more important, the students are strongly encouraged to ask questions and make comments.

Highly unlikely to be otherwise, isn't it?

So if this passes the students will sing the song for the king, the song for the school, and the song for democracy. Is this part of the make students happy program? Less time for that first class with all these songs they will be singing. Note I am not in the least thinking this song will instill democracy into the kids at all.

All this democracy education sounds great but what happens if students ask ' if democracy is so good and what the country needs why does the military regularly step in , take over and suspend it ' ?

because some people are more entitled to "democracy" than others ?

A bit like Orwell's some people are more equal than others.

All based on wealth, family and connections.

Sadly, seems rife in other countries too.

What hypocrisy. This country has not seen Democracy for over a year and a half and they don't even have any idea what Democracy is. The junta's definition of Democracy looks nothing like the real thing.

All this democracy education sounds great but what happens if students ask ' if democracy is so good and what the country needs why does the military regularly step in , take over and suspend it ' ?

Isn't that a very good reason to teach Thai children never to question their teachers / social superiors??

At this current time, the song "citizens are great" doesn't seem appropriate with the junta human rights suppression. May have to change to the "junta is great". Prayuth himself can pen the lyrics.

And the definition of "good citizen" is...?

Presumably the song will tell us. Anyone know what the words are.

Can't promote something you don't have and clearly don't understand.

This country isn't and wasn't ever a democratic country and absolutly nobody know what this mean to the people in the country as there is no education in a way to learn and handle democracy!

So singing stupid songs are the less the pupils need! Get special teachers from foreign democratic countries to teach at university and schools and so things may change! And this on a long term run ! Otherwise never ever democracy will overcome this country!

All this democracy education sounds great but what happens if students ask ' if democracy is so good and what the country needs why does the military regularly step in , take over and suspend it ' ?

because some people are more entitled to "democracy" than others ?

A bit like Orwell's some people are more equal than others.

All based on wealth, family and connections.

Sadly, seems rife in other countries too.

"A bit like Orwell's some people are more equal than others."

Apologies for being pedantic, but Uncle George said "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others"

As for equality among man, inequality has been the norm since time immemorial and will likely stay that way.

Some believe all men are created equal, but that is never the way they remain.

EC proposed five requests which included promotion of activities to promote democracy in schools, to establish democracy promotion centres and promote democracy in local adminstration, allow educational personnel to be staff of the centres, and cooperation in making CDs of “Citizens are Great” and distribute to all schools under the supervision of the Basic Education Commission and to play the song before the 8 am singing of the national anthem song.

Sound like displacement activities to me.

dis·place·ment ac·tiv·i·ty

noun

PSYCHOLOGY

plural noun: displacement activities

1. an animal or human activity that seems inappropriate to the context, such as head-scratching when one is confused, considered to arise unconsciously when a conflict between antagonistic urges cannot be resolved.

And the definition of "good citizen" is...?

Presumably the song will tell us. Anyone know what the words are.

I'd hazard a guess that their definition is "A good citizen is loyal and obedient" and the words to the song are merely "I will obey, I will obey" repeated over and over..................

What hypocrisy. This country has not seen Democracy for over a year and a half and they don't even have any idea what Democracy is. The junta's definition of Democracy looks nothing like the real thing.

A year and a half ? Where have you been ? If you honestly believe that the reign, or should I say pillage, excercised by the thaksin family is an example of democracy I truly believe you are beyond help

I sincerely hope:

- There are printed materials to be handed out which are specific, clear, comprehensive, unambiguous and balanced.

- The teachers who teach it are experts at the subject and take a totally unbiased approach to the lectures.

- Even more important, the students are strongly encouraged to ask questions and make comments.

Great points but as we all know there is a far greater chance of snow blizzards in Bangkok than any of your points being put in place

No idea what a democracy centre is, and can't seem to find anything via the Internet. However, there are such entities as democracy schools. Thailand has the grand total of two.

and don't forget the song for the USA. because in the USA you are not better , when I look a the US kids with their hand on heart and facing the US flag, guys you make me laugh too.

at least I have not been brainwashed by schools and parents like you.

God bless America!

I haven't heard someone claim that they had avoided "brainwashing", or that they had true clarity of vision and insight, since I was teenager.

Do you know?, I think it was me that said it.

Thank you so much for a lovely trip down memory lane.

The EC can't even hold a proper election without the Constitutional Court invalidating the results - twice now.

And it wants to establish democracy centers?

The EC can't even hold a proper election without the Constitutional Court invalidating the results - twice now.

And it wants to establish democracy centers?

In Thailand, it is the anti-EC... They are more than worthless.

surprised that they didn't insist on using the General's new song...

What hypocrisy. This country has not seen Democracy for over a year and a half and they don't even have any idea what Democracy is. The junta's definition of Democracy looks nothing like the real thing.

A year and a half ? Where have you been ? If you honestly believe that the reign, or should I say pillage, excercised by the thaksin family is an example of democracy I truly believe you are beyond help

The "Thaksin family" were voted in by the people. The people should have been entitled to vote them out. THAT is democracy, people exercising their birthright.

What hypocrisy. This country has not seen Democracy for over a year and a half and they don't even have any idea what Democracy is. The junta's definition of Democracy looks nothing like the real thing.

A year and a half ? Where have you been ? If you honestly believe that the reign, or should I say pillage, excercised by the thaksin family is an example of democracy I truly believe you are beyond help

The "Thaksin family" were voted in by the people. The people should have been entitled to vote them out. THAT is democracy, people exercising their birthright.

The problem for many people is understanding that "democracy" is about far more than just free and fair elections.

Real democracy also requires the rule of law, Judicial oversight, transparency, checks and balances, freedom of expression and assembly, the separation of powers and a whole raft of other concepts, ALL of which have been missing from Thailand since 1932.........................in fact since forever, when I think about it!

Edited December 23, 201510 yr by Always18

Democracy suggests all people are of equal worth and should be treated equally. Why, then, at midnight in Pattaya, was Sukhumvit closed to non-equal folk whilst a big-wig got to be driven home from his party?

If they want to have a real democracy then each school should be able to take a vote on whether or not to sing these songs. There should also be an option for students to opt out and use that time for other activities or tasks.

It would be refreshing to see at least one school take the initiative on this.