Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
The Thai Education Ministry is asking vocational institutions not to ban tattooed students from enrolling in colleges next year.
Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about the policy.
The Ministry of Education has urged the Association of Private Technological and Vocational Educational Colleges of Thailand not to ban students with wide ear-piercings and tattoos from enrolling in the next academic year.
BASIC RIGHTS
The ban could affect a student’s right to receive an education, Kamchorn Tatiyakawee, the education permanent secretary, said on August 6.
Association chairman, Jompong Mongkolvanich, announced that about 200 public vocational schools under its supervision will not accept applications from students with tattoos or pierced ears in the 2016 academic year because they are prone to committing anti-social behaviour and violence.
He also said association colleges will compile a blacklist to share among themselves to ban students previously expelled from colleges for carrying weapons or possessing illegal drugs. Stricter policies would also be enforced concerning students’ hairstyles and uniforms.
MISJUDGED APPEARANCES
The announcement set alarm bells ringing in the Education Ministry, where Kamchorn said it would prevent many students from getting an education because many young people have tattoos and pierced ears.
“I understand the vocational schools are trying to improve the image of vocational education, but you cannot judge people by their physical appearance. Some students who have tattoos are good kids. You cannot deny them the chance to study,” Kamchorn said.
Jompong said the association had discussed the problem of inter-college brawls and decided strict measures were needed to address the problem.
BACKGROUND CHECK
Kamchorn argued that other measures can be used to screen applicants. “If they are afraid that some ill-intentioned people will try to apply, they can use other screening methods such as a criminal background check,” he said.
Chaipreuk Sereerak, secretary-general of the Office of Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), said no vocational schools under its control will screen students because everyone should have the opportunity to study.
Exercises
Read the story and decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. Jompong is the education minister.
……………….
2. Kamchorn said you cannot judge people by their physical appearance.
……………….
3. Chaipreuk said no vocational schools under the OVEC’s control will screen students because everyone should have the opportunity to study.
……………….
4. Jompong said the ban could affect a student’s right to receive an education.
……………….
Vocabulary
- blacklist (n): a list of names that an organization considers unacceptable and that must be avoided
expel (v): to officially make somebody leave a school
brawl (n): a noisy and violent fight involving a group of people
