Students to learn at least one Thai instrument under new policy
A policy designed to ensure every Thai student is able to play at least one Thai instrument will be implemented in the 2017 academic year, Deputy Prime Minister General Thanasak Patimapragorn said yesterday.
Following a National Culture Commission meeting on Monday, Thanasak told reporters that the commission agreed that the Culture Ministry would proceed the with policy of teaching children to play at least one instrument within five years.
He said the Culture Ministry would soon discuss the matter with the Education Ministry to prepare its implementation in the first semester of 2017.
He said the policy would be reported to the Cabinet and be announced as a ministerial regulation.
It is aimed at having children play music at least at a basic level to preserve the knowledge of Thai music.
The Culture Ministry and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University’s Suan Dusit Poll conducted a survey of 1,310 people including parents and school staff from August 5-14 and found that 92.67 per cent of respondents backed the policy, Thanasak said.
The reasons the respondents want the policy implemented include the preservation of the Thai musical tradition and the benefit derived from students using their free time constructively.
