Accessibility and related factors to basic education of transnational migrant workers' children a case study of Bangkhuntian district, Bangkok Metropolis
Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to study the state of educational accessibility and inaccessibility, and basic educational accessibility and inaccessibility factors of transnational migrant workers children from Burma in the area of Bangkhuntian District, Bangkok Metropolis. The key informants consist of school administrators, parents, and transnational migrant workers children from Burma. The data was collected by interview and observation. The results showed that the same problems which used to be found still appear, and are being repeated. This may become a chronic problem; that is, most transnational migrant workers children from Burma do not have access to education in Thailand. The factors in this study associated with the accessibility and inaccessibility consist of the attitudes of school administrators and education policy. According to the school policy, family, community, and children from the cabinet issued on July 5, 2005, it is the policy condition of educational opportunities for the transnational migrant workers children to have education. However, the major obstacles of educational inaccessibility are the negative attitudes of school administrators, the inattentiveness, and inability to take this topic seriously of policy leaders in practice. The school administrators do not realize the seriousness of this matter. They do not put policy into action, and lack understanding of the policy, including clear the guidelines for practitioners. Even a small portion, the factors that affect on children's accessibility to have education include the administrator and Thai officer, should have their attitudes of high openness, parents have an attachment to Thailand and realization in education, perception of educational right, availability in the economy, and community connections. Finally regarding the children, they should have the ability to communicate in Thai, not be too old, have legal status, and have no need to help their parents work. Thus, Thai society should have the realization of the positive side of educational management without any discrimination; As a result, the children can become mature people in the future, and survive with dignity; that is, Thai society needs to have the awareness and realization to go about this seriously and intensively.