Netiwit: Troublemaker or passionate student?
The simple question of 'Why' has won 16-year-old Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal many supporters but even more opponents.
Why do students have to wear short hair, why does the school day start with the singing of the national anthem and prayer, why do students have to wear short hair during the wai khru ceremony bowing to the teacher on their knees, why do we get scolded when we ask a question, why do I get kicked out of class if I tell my teacher he doesn't understand Buddhism, why do history books distort history?
It will be clear: this critical student of the Nawaminthrachinuthit Triamudomsuksapattanakarn school (a mouthful) does not make himself very popular with these kinds of questions in a society that usually values collectivism over individualism. Netiwit was in the news earlier this year because he had organized a petition to abolish the mandatory hairstyle rules. He had a small success, as the Ministry of Education relaxed the strict rules in May, although some schools still apply the old rules: millimeter hair for boys, no long hair for girls.
After the petition and a plea on TV channel 3, friends joined him and the Thai Student for Educational System Revolution Association was founded, a network of thirty students from Bangkok and ten from the North. In principle, they meet once a month and have contact via social media. The aim is a general overhaul of education. Because current Thai education is 'dictatorial', according to Netiwit.
'Schools in Thailand have an authoritarian attitude. They don't like students asking questions because it affects their power and stability. Sometimes, if a student asks a simple question, they are reprimanded, making them afraid to ask questions. I know this because I've been asking questions for years.'
Netiwit believes that the relationship between teacher and student needs to change. 'Crawl [as in the wai khru ceremony] is not a good way to show respect. Most students don't even like their teacher. The only good way to show respect is to discuss, talk and criticize. That way you gain respect for each other's points of view.'
Will things ever happen with Thai education? “We may not have immediate success, but it will happen in the next generation. They can learn from what we do and do better in the future. I can only give my opinion to help the next generation. If what I say leads them to call for change, then we're successful.'
(Source: Spectrum, Bangkok Post, Sept. 8, 2013)
Tino Kuis translated the 'declaration of war' on the Facebook page Netiwit Ntw:
Thou, adults. thou has lived in this world long enough and ye will only be here for a short time. Children, the youth, the boys and the girls, zij will spend a lot of time in this world. That's why it's all right, isn't it, that zij form an opinion on how to prepare for their place in this community and in this world; to become a shining rock and to act according to their own understanding and strength, apart from those who have already almost left this world.
So let them go and please give them the freedom to choose their own path in life.
…But to let go or not to let go, it doesn't matter, because they will still find their own way….
If it is true that this well-rested boy has more opponents than followers, then we still have a long way to go.
I was completely blown away by his story and have been browsing various websites and FB pages for two days. He has much more with that than opponents, that is to say, among the youth. I'm not so gloomy.
If so Tino, then it's not me either. Asked my students this morning if they knew the site and everyone knew Netiwit. When I asked what they thought of Netiwit's views, some shouted 'awesome!', others shouted 'freedom!'. Then I wrote on the board “Change we can believe in”. then a crackling cheer went up.
I have hope again.
Beautiful, fine, perfect! It even makes me a little moved in my old age. What a beautiful profession teacher is. Have them make an English song to praise Netiwit.
Hang up posters! placards! Texts! Spread the word!
ONE swallow does not make a summer.
And: the repressive forces are still many times stronger than Netiwit's critical movement. Rather keep it low profile until the movement can count on guaranteed support from public opinion.
I've seen many swallows. And to wait until the movement can count on guaranteed support from public opinion reminds me just a little too much of the dictatorial generals who from Pridi (1932) to Chuan Leekpai (1992) justified their rule with the remark: “The Thai people are not yet ripe for a real democracy'.
Just for fun, I asked my 4th year students who knows Netiwit. Spontaneously no one knows the name. When I explain who Netiwit is and what he stands for, only a few know him.
Cautious conclusion: there is still a long way to go for a real student movement in Thailand. The kids of the elite are more concerned about the new iPad and the new trendy restaurants, the new bag fashion and the new type of BMW than about the education they receive.
The successful strategy, in my opinion, is: a good analysis of what is going on, the backgrounds and the reasons and then come up with solutions (the demands of the movement). Ensure that you get allies OUTSIDE your own circles, and in the first instance outside parliament. Going directly to politicians who agree with you can have the effect of identifying you with them (as happened in the Netherlands with the support of the PSP and the CPN for the student movement) And then, if you feel strong enough: the politicians bothering you with your analysis and your demands.
The improvement of Thai education will and must come from the bottom up as through the student 'revolutions' in France and the Netherlands in the XNUMXs. We should not expect anything from above, even if there were knowledgeable people there. I think we should not underestimate the influence of such a small group around Netiwit, all revolutions start with a few enthusiastic individuals and can spread very quickly when the time is right.
The Facebook page of Netiwit (Netiwit Ntw) is a pleasure to read. He quotes Einstein, Noam Chomsky, George Orwell, Bertrand Russell and Pridi Phanomyong with equal ease, the latter being his, and also my, shining example in dark Thailand. I have invited twenty of my 'student friends' on my FB page to Netiwit's page to go, many responded enthusiastically. Spread the word!
How much commotion he causes is shown by some caustic comments, especially by teachers: 'Just fall into a canal and drown' says one, and another, hiding behind such a white mask, says:
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"If you are not satisfied with Thailand, then fuck off to another country, because the king's people's army has already got its sights on you." Where did I encounter the first part of this call more often?
But most comments are positive and constructive. Spread the word!
Truly deeply impressed by this student. Many thanks for finding this news. A contribution to better education can be made not only from below, but also through parents, although I must honestly admit that my talking to my son and teachers did not have much effect. Hopefully, however, there are some things that will be useful later. , such as the way my grandchildren are raised.
Egon, I wouldn't worry. Let it go, as Netiwit summons the elders. They go their own way. Read aloud, keep books in the house. My big son Peter (hope he doesn't read this) in the Netherlands didn't touch a book until he was 18 and after that.....fantastic.
In my earlier response to articles about the Thai education system, I argued that changes should be initiated by the Thai themselves. It is very important in this respect that the young generations have a need for a change of mentality, which then has its ripples on and in all sorts of other social structures.
Netiwit Chotiphatphaisa indicates that the Thai youth is prepared to take up the challenge of innovation. After all, a first attempt, a first attempt, does not matter: a first start. All the more brave because you can already see that many resistances are emerging. It could just be true what @Cor Verhoef reports that there are “perhaps more opponents than followers”. It is a pity that he does not get any further with the conclusion that Netiwit may have slept in, but still has a long way to go. Netiwit could easily have been one of his pupils age-wise, and such a remark does not show any support.
Many of the Thailand blog readers will definitely remember that after the Sorbonne uprising of May 1968, a movement arose in the Netherlands to renew/democratize educational structures. That was the impetus for many experiments and changes.
This democratization movement was similarly accompanied by much resistance and opposition. I was in the middle of it as a student at the time. You can assume that in Thailand, young people who propagate educational innovations will encounter resistance, which will be several times greater than in the Netherlands at the time.
Farang claim on this blog that in addition to an opinion on Thai society, they also have the right to want actual changes. Well now: here is an opportunity by encouraging young people in their own environment (and vice versa).
My teaching methods are as Netiwit envisions them. I encourage my students to question everything, to think independently, they don't have to get up like robots in my classes with a "good morning teacher" and when I have a student with me, they don't have to sit on the floor, but just sit in a chair next to. "No support?"
No, those students have something to do with you. You spend all day on this site venting your philosophies. Do you have nothing better to do?
Moderator: don't just reply to each other, that's chatting.
I wonder if the Harmones series will be to blame. There this also happens on a somewhat smaller scale, but the rebellious student eventually caputilates. 😉
Sad those reactions like "then get the hell out of Thailand", reforms are simply necessary. So don't have much to add to the criticism of this boy (s).
In the 70s I was part of the student movement in the Netherlands. At the beginning of this democratization movement, we were only met with resistance. The statements of the then PvdA state secretary Klein about the students (and his party's implicit support for him) are not worth repeating, but they have prevented me from becoming a member of that party for years. Changes never go without struggle and pain. Not even in Thailand.
It is encouraging that students are criticizing the education system. I'm a little less optimistic about the sequel. The student movement in Europe eventually managed to convince the middle class (large in numbers, therefore powerful in elections and powerful as employees) of its arguments and as a result the smaller elite lost the battle. In Thailand the middle class is very small and the universities are populated by children of the elite. They have everything to lose, they think. When I tell them that students in the West only have 13 to 14 hours of lessons a week (compared to around 28) and also two months of holiday, there is also a big cheer: more free time. When I tell them that these students have 40 hours of work that they have to work on independently, it becomes quiet.
I estimate that educational innovation in Thailand will take on more solid forms if small and medium-sized enterprises (accounting for 80% of exports and the economic engine of this country) start to feel that the level of graduates is so low that they are not (sufficiently) more economic growth. Many of these entrepreneurs see the need for English but do not speak it themselves. So I don't expect a large influx of foreign workers.
A small damper on the possible revelry is that I have a number of graduates (who can think) who are thinking about building their further existence abroad and not in Thailand because everything is so poorly organized here.
We have also experienced a number of things at our children's previous school.
Native teachers who seem to follow the ease of the system. Don't tolerate contradiction and because of this, in my opinion, have a very easy job.
Nice to hear that there are already somewhat older children like Netiwit and they respond to this.
The comments often convey an optimism that I do not share. I fear that we have to go generations further before change takes place. Change in culture {interpreted in a very broad sense} takes a lot of time. The few young people who take the lead are major exceptions and not comparable to what happened in Europe, a completely different society. The parents, who can play an important role, are either not interested or too undeveloped. In 20 years, having grown a few years older {and hopefully we will still have a Thailand blog}, I will remind any current readers of these comments.
Dear egon wout: it will certainly take a while and you are certainly right when you say that we can only look back in a few years. But luckily it's not about your right. I do not share your pessimism. I give the Thai and her younger generations all the time to implement the changes they want. You are also right when you say that you cannot compare the situation in Europe at the time. The Asian and Thai circumstances are completely different. In any judgment, please take this fact into account. It therefore makes little sense to name all kinds of desirable situations. The changes in Thailand have their own rhythm, pace and dynamics. This was already the case in Europe, and will also be the case in ZOA.
Buddha was clear (as was recently read on this blog): your own insight is decisive, your own reason should be your guide. But also in this land of Buddha “collectivism is usually placed above individualism” and (as an expert by experience has determined) “the current Thai education is dictatorial”.
What I, who have never looked behind the school door in Thailand, have seen is that the students are uniformed (as in the army), the schoolboys have an unappealingly short haircut (idem) and the schoolgirl jus are frumpy.
What I have heard about it and read again is that the schoolchildren must salute (again as in the army); simple: the situation at school is humiliating for the students (like in the army for recruits).
Please note: collectivism, with associated and stimulated counting oneself as part of a group (and associated with it group thinking) is by no means typical for Thailand. I do not act as the know-it-all, who, if he criticizes himself, should look better at himself or at his own country (that of origin). I note that the current criticism (that of Netiwit in particular) comes from exactly where that criticism may come from and must come from if it is not to be simply brushed aside. It will be clear, however, that I hope that the initiative that has now arisen (or call it the revolt that has now arisen) will prove very fruitful. The Thai people, especially the young guard, are undoubtedly worthy of all democracy and to have their own reason as their guide. Only -like everywhere- army officers (and apparently also the school hotemets here?) think differently.
Rudolf {where does the name come from, you have not yet answered this question}: I repeat my statement that Thai culture makes it impossible to bring about the much-needed changes in the medium term. As was the case last time, you divert attention from the discussion {the moderator did not want to post my answer at the time, hopefully now given the inaccuracy of your comment}: the discussion is a nuisance or an enthusiastic student and the consequences that flow from it. That has nothing to do with my wanting to be right, something I have not expressed. I think I have made it very clear that I believe that changes are absolutely necessary. Of course, assuming that, I grant the Thai these changes. There is no way that there is even 1 commentator who would not grant the Thai this... In other words. completely unnecessary comment, irrelevant and insinuating. It would be more interesting to know why you don't share my pessimism.