Pensioners go back to school in Ubon


Image: Thairath

UBON RATCHATHANI: -- Dozens of pensioners in Ubon have gone back to school for the first time in over forty years.

It is part of a plan to provide recreational activities for the over 60s in the Phunbunmangsahan district of the north eastern province reported Thairath.

Now in its fourth week of operation - the school runs every Tuesday from 8 am to 12 pm - numbers have continued to rise from a first week 30 "boys and girls" to now a full class of 90 eager OAPs.

Each "kid" has their own junior high uniform with the school name embroidered on the right along with two Thai letters indicating "advanced age" and their name...in case they forget. On the left their grade is stitched into the shirt.

Some arrive at school on their own bicycles while others are brought by their "parents" - in this case their children or grandchildren.

The school day starts with the traditional respecting of the Thai flag and a prayer or two but after this activities are much more fun than they remember from their school days long ago. The emphasis is on recreation and enjoyment rather than any serious study. Yesterday they had a fun talk from a nurse about health matters and a bike ride for exercise was thrown in for good measure. Other talks from representatives of various organizations will continue over the course of the "term".

One of the young lads Phisut Yortkham, 66, said: "The idea is to keep us healthy in mind and body and give us some enjoyment".

There are five main "rules" the students must observe namely 1 Follow a balanced diet 2 Exercise 3 Maintain a good disposition and temperament. The last two are also important 4 Don't do drugs and 5 Don't smoke.

There are around 2000 people who are eligible to take part in the district's program. In the first week enrolment was just 30, in the second word started to get round and there were 49, then 72 and finally 90 turned up yesterday.

Source: Thairath

-- 2016-06-09

Good idea it will keep the old buggers off the streets, give them less time for smoking/boozing /fornicating

Now that is a teaching job I would actually want. can I trade my Mattayom level 3s for some seniors.....in their case I would encourage sleeping in class.

That photo of geriatrics in Jr. Hi uniforms is about the funniest/cutest thing I've laid eyes on in quite a while!

On a more ominous note, it reminds me of Japanese "playmates" (if you get my drift) in little-girl school uniforms--so I've heard about (cough). Middle-aged Japanese "salary man" is unable to resist.

Must be a few husbands reliving their schoolgirl fantasies.

...not sure about this one.....

That photo of geriatrics in Jr. Hi uniforms is about the funniest/cutest thing I've laid eyes on in quite a while!

Stunning, absolutely stunning.

Hard to stay serious

Now that is a teaching job I would actually want. can I trade my Mattayom level 3s for some seniors.....in their case I would encourage sleeping in class.

Sleeping in class? is that not the pass time of the younger folk after they tire of fiddling with their mobiles. I think the schools have the same motto as the US army. No one will be left behind or is it a rising tide lifts all ships.

Just when you thought that Thailand was backward as hell and full of stupid ideas they come up with something breathtakingly sensible!

Every civilized country has "community colleges" where people of any age can take easy classes.

It's High School Plus.

Many people here were obviously "educated" at such facilities, 555

I love that idea! I hope they stay as healthy and active as that prgram seems aimed to keep them. They're so cute in their uniforms too!

Some of the old codgers on here could do with a bit of that. Maybe they'd remember how to laugh again.

Good stuff.

The lady with the glasses looking at the photographer, seems to have this "what the h... have I gotten myself into" look.