School Fails

School Fails

We would think that schools teach kids the right things or set good examples but that isn't always the case. Here are a few unfortunate recent cases to inspire would-be parents to home-school their children.

Miss the Mark on the Mask

A sign showing "examples of masks and face shields that are appropriate for school uniforms" was spotted and shared online earlier this month. The students were urged to wear masks in plain colours presumably to be polite but the school went too far when it recommended that girls should wear masks in pink and light colours, while boys should stick to white, grey and black. Someone in the school board is experiencing fragile masculinity? Obviously, the sign drew backlash for missing the mark on the point of wearing masks (alliteration intended). The school shouldn't focus on such frivolous details so long as students wear masks to protect themselves and others. With recommended colours for boys and girls, they also spread gender stereotypes (Covid-19 pun intended!). One more obvious concern is that, by telling students to wear similar masks, every young student may mix up masks. Let kids wear whatever design they want so long as it doesn't contain an offensive image.

No Privacy for Young Men (and Women)

On Monday, a Facebook user shared a photo of what he claimed to be a form for students issued by a school in Chiang Rai. The form got invasive real quick. After innocently asking what kind of sport the student enjoys, came the "IT Information" part, which asked the student to write down what mobile phone they use, the monthly mobile package they use, the password to their phone (!), up to two Facebook usernames, two Instagram accounts (BTW, who on Earth has time to run four social media accounts?), one Twitter handle and their corresponding passwords. The form obviously infringed on student privacy as I'm sure most parents don't even know passwords to their children's social media accounts. Did the school take its cue from the Minister of Interior? Adding a dramatic effect to this story is that the whistle-blower is an alumnus.

The school was quick to issue a formal response on its Facebook page, placing the blame on a staff who recently joined the school. The school claimed that he/she created the form in question with "good intentions" but didn't seek official approval. The school claimed this person had been reassigned to another unit and offered an apology. A lot of people didn't buy this explanation, though, as they questioned how such a form would be published without approval from the board in the first place. The response seemed only to stoke further online ire.

Thank Me for Paying You to Teach Me

In pre-lockdown March, pictures of a graduation ceremony for primary students at a private school in Bangkok were shared by Red Skull Society Facebook. What's wrong isn't the fact that the school thought it's necessary to hold a graduation ceremony for 12-year-olds but the way the students had to prostrate on the ground while waiing at the feet of a male teacher to receive diplomas (that their parents essentially paid for) from him. The male teacher sat on a chair, which was placed on a rug, while two female teachers sat on the floor behind him, handing him the diplomas. Like a noble bestowing gifts to peasant children. It drew harsh online criticism as many deemed the school went overboard with the ceremony while some suggested the school could just let children waii the teacher while standing before receiving their diplomas to show their appreciation.

The school explained that this ceremony is only for children who enrolled in their English programme (i.e., expensive tuition fee) so they wouldn't forget their Thainess. I don't think that explanation helps.

Too much for 12-year-olds?

There have been many examples of outdated values and discriminatory notions based on sexes, gender identities and sexual orientations in textbooks for Thai kids. The most recent one that went viral on Monday was from a textbook series for Prathom six students. Last Book in the Universe Facebook page shared a page from the book, which depicts a bad girl named Kiew whose body is a bit too voluptuous for her age and enjoys male attention too much. This is a precautionary tale of teenage pregnancy. Most commenters opposed to how the character is described in a judgemental way with phrases like "she enjoys letting herself be a living prize for any man who wins (the motorcycle) race to demean" and "her parents cried blood when they realise that their beloved daughter celebrates having a 'Ms' title before her name by becoming pregnant with a fatherless child". Did the author also write for a soap opera? Slut-shaming much?

I dug deeper and read the entire story. While I think the author has the best intentions, the tale focuses on all the bad things that could happen to a girl while not incorporating the boy's side enough in the story. And perhaps telling a soap-like story isn't the best way to talk about the issue?

Pornchai Sereemongkonpol

Guru section Editor

Guru section Editor

Email : pornchais@bangkokpost.co.th

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