Pornsuree Jamsri. Discrimination practices in thai schools experienced by underprivileged children : a case study of children of the human development foundation (HDF) Klong Toey, Bangkok , Thailand . Master's Degree(Human Rights). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2006.
Discrimination practices in thai schools experienced by underprivileged children : a case study of children of the human development foundation (HDF) Klong Toey, Bangkok , Thailand
Abstract:
This study investigates the discrimination in education suffered by underprivileged
children residing at a Child Welfare Home (CWH), the Human Development Foundation
(HDF), in the largest slum in Bangkok, Thailand. Broken families and problems caused by
poverty are the main reasons for the children’s placement in the CWH. The elements
protecting against discrimination in Thai laws and policies and International Human Rights
Laws (IHRL) regarding the right to education were investigated as to their benefit or lack
thereof to underprivileged children. The children have their basic needs met at the CHW and
are entitled to get an education, a significant factor for human development.
Nevertheless, when they attend community public and private schools they
experience discrimination as underprivileged children. The negative attitude towards
underprivileged children forms the discrimination against them on the grounds of social status,
which is against International Human Rights Laws (IHRL) as well as domestic laws.
Underprivileged children need understanding from everyone but some teachers and peers are
the main perpetrators in terms of violation of their human rights. Their rights are not fully
respected as a variety of abusive incidents identified by the children show. Discrimination
practices towards them takes various forms as physical abuse by teachers using sticks, hands,
and feet striking on different parts of the children’s bodies and verbal abuse using rude,
demeaning words. Aggressive behaviour by the case study children is understood as the
outcome of discrimination reflecting the negative actions toward them from others.
Discrimination has a serious impact on children’s development for their whole
life. Because there is no adequate oversight, it is open to chance that these discrimination
practices will continue in schools. Although there are legal instruments to protect children’s
rights, these do not work because the implementation process is not in place. Also,
underprivileged children accept the abuse that occurs to them as part of their life from an early
age. Ultimately, their right to education can hardly be achieved if the discrimination practices
continue in schools. The consideration of whether Thai education reform can be a tool to
eradicate discrimination towards underprivileged children is also analysed in this study.