Enhanced education opportunities essential for mentally disabled, according to Senator's statement.
Tackling Barriers for Mental Disability Education in Thailand
It's high time the Thai government took action to make sure children with mental disabilities aren't left out of the education system. Senator Charnnarong Phanrungroj, chair of the Senate sub-committee on the elderly, disabled, and underprivileged, voiced these concerns after the "Voices from Down Syndrome" forum.
Education is crucial for developing the potential of individuals with disabilities, but several obstacles prevent them from accessing it. Senator Charnnarong highlighted a shortage of inclusive schools, overly strict admission rules, the need for disability identification cards, and a lack of specialist staff and support facilities as major hurdles.
Inclusive schools are vital for nurturing the abilities of children with Down's syndrome, while helping neurotypical peers grasp the reality of these disorders.
Thailand's National Statistical Office reveals the nation has 4.19 million people with disabilities, accounting for around 6% of the population. Yet, data from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities shows only 2.2 million are registered and in possession of disability ID cards, restricting their access to fundamental rights, including education. As of October 31, 2021, there were 162,747 people with mental or behavioral disabilities, 144,247 with intellectual disabilities, 16,890 with learning disabilities, and 25,643 with autism.
To expand education rights for people with disabilities, Senator Charnnarong emphasized the importance of education as a stepping stone. "Education serves as a tool for personal development and the achievement of one's potential," he said, adding that it helps reduce disparities in employment opportunities and enables those with disabilities to live with dignity.
To pave the way for equal education, he suggested eliminating regulations that restrict access for special needs children and increasing the employment ratio of people with disabilities in workplaces from 1:100 to 2:100 or even 1:50, acknowledging that many disabled individuals still struggle to secure stable jobs, particularly in the public sector.
To create an inclusive education system in Thailand, consider implementing the following strategies:
- Revise Admission Rules:
- Relax admission procedures.
- Promote awareness about the benefits of inclusive education among parents and school administrators.
- Enhance Infrastructure:
- Expand capacity for inclusive education.
- Adapt facilities to accommodate children with mental disabilities.
- Train Specialist Staff:
- Offer professional development programs for teachers and staff.
- Partner with organizations specializing in special education for ongoing support.
- Data-Driven Approaches:
- Integrate national data systems to track out-of-school children.
- Develop targeted interventions based on data.
- Collaborative Efforts:
- Collaborate with non-profit organizations and the private sector to provide additional resources and support for inclusive education.
- Raise public awareness through campaigns on the importance of inclusive education and its benefits for both children with disabilities and the broader community.
By addressing these barriers and implementing inclusive strategies, Thailand can ensure children with mental disabilities have a fair shot at education.
Incorporating inclusive schools into the education system would not only benefit children with Down's syndrome, but also aid neurotypical peers in understanding mental disorders better, aligning with the need highlighted by Senator Charnnarong. To further aid individuals with mental disabilities in accessing education, a more inclusive approach could be implemented through revising strict admission rules, enhancing infrastructure to accommodate them, training specialist staff, data-driven approaches, and collaborative efforts in health-and-wellness, particularly mental-health sectors.
