Pheu Thai launches singing contest
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Move aimed at tackling social problem; teams to consist of a 'look thung' singer and 6-12 dancers; private sector agrees to join efforts at boosting youths' vocational skills
The ruling Pheu Thai Party yesterday launched a singing contest aimed at easing the problem of inter-school brawls, particularly among vocational students.
Pheu Thai MP Pholapoom Vipatphumiprathet told a press conference at the party’s headquarters that the ruling party was going to organise the “look thung” (Thai folk music) contest among high-school and vocational students. This was part of the effort to tackle the social problem of student brawls, he said.
“We believe that when students have activities together they can build up good ties. And this will help reduce the problem of fighting,” he said.
Members of the contesting teams – each consisting of a singer and six to 12 dancers – must be school students although they do not need to come from the same school. Applications can be submitted until July 20 and the contest will be held on August 18 and 19 at the Imperial World Lat Phrao shopping mall.
The winning team will get Bt100,000 in cash and a trophy presented by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The second prize is Bt50,000 cash and a trophy from the education minister, and the third prize is Bt30,000 cash and a trophy from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The private sector has also been encouraged to take part and help students acquire qualifications that might meet entrepreneurs’ demands.
Companies will work with the Army, religious organisations and educational agencies to prevent brawls between students, vocational ones in particular, members of an educational committee agreed at a meeting recently.
“Many of the committee’s members are from the private sector. We agreed to increase the role of the private and industrial sectors in improving the quality of students in basic, vocational and higher education.
“With help from [companies], more students will learn working skills from internships. They will also be able to help educational agencies improve the curriculum so as to make the students ready to join the working community,” said Anek Permvongseni, secretary-general of the Office of the Education Council (OEC).
He was speaking to reporters after the first meeting of more than 50 newly appointed committee members.
However, violence continues to be a problem among vocational students. Late on Friday night, a 13-year-old girl was shot dead in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Thung Song district when rival students attacked the “wrong” person.
Siriphorn Phiboon, 13, was shot while she sitting on a stool in front of her grocery shop.
A witness said six assailants, who are students at a vocational college in the district, rode on three motorcycles past her shop and opened fire at the girl.
Police said previously the group had quarrelled with a teenager known only as ‘Boy’. Boy’s friends used knives to attack them. Boy was apparently sitting on a stool outside his house, which is near the shop, when he saw the group riding past on motorcycles so he rushed to hide.
About 20 minutes later, they returned to the shop and saw a person sitting there so they fired at the person, who happened to be Siriphorn.
After investigation, police became aware of the identities of those involved in the crime. Their relatives have told police that the suspects will surrender soon.
“When students, especially vocational students, have enough occupational skills and see opportunities in future for them to get work I believe many of them will avoid quarrels,” Anek said.
The Army and religious organisations would help train them in discipline, social responsibility, morals, selflessness, nationalism and volunteering, Anek said, adding that the committee had members who are from Buddhism, Christianity and Islam religions. Subcommittees working on this have been appointed.
The OEC aims to tackle the problem of student brawls at its roots.
“Our education system is unable to produce graduates with satisfactory working qualifications for the labour market. The OEC will invite representatives from the private sector to discuss the qualifications needed in the workforce now and in the next five to 10 years.
“The committee members emphasised concrete implementation. So, they approved the setting up an adhoc committee that will be in charge of the implementation in three to six months,” he said.
