Led by Mr. Peera Rattanawijit, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, following the enforcement of the Prevention and Solution of Adolescent Pregnancy Act to implement policies into practice. Children in the education system are involved in all educational systems.
According to the Ministry of Education’s data system, children lack continuous care from early childhood. Each year, 600,000 – 700,000 children are born, with 100,000 born to young mothers who lack both iodine and iron, affecting early childhood development. It is believed that this Act directly promotes education. Thai adolescents are engaging in sexual activities earlier and lack life skills regarding sexuality. Families raise children permissively. The Ministry of Education has long provided sex education, focusing on life skills in various forms.
The Ministry of Education develops teachers to improve teaching and learning, and the student support system. Where there are gaps, agencies must develop, including children and families. Educational media has been developed, which the Ministry of Education has been doing long before the Adolescent Pregnancy Act was enacted. With legal support, implementation becomes more systematic and intensive, covering both in and out of the education system…
Dr. Theeraphawangkanan, Director of the Special Operations Center for the Protection and Assistance of Students, Office of the Basic Education Commission, reported that from 2012 to 2017, there were 728 cases of student pregnancy assistance, 21 of which were due to sexual abuse.
Additionally, RSA reporters observed that access to information on safe abortion options at the policy level of the Ministry of Education is still quite limited.
Report from the 3rd National Conference on Sexual Health
Adolescent Pregnancy: From Strategy to Sustainable Practice, January 28, 2019
Reported by: RSA Network (rsathai.org)