Government’s Policy of Developing Young Children

(06/01/2012)

As National Children’s Day 2012 approaches, the Government has set a policy on the development of young children, and the Ministry of Education has been assigned to serve as the core agency in working out a plan in line with this policy. The policy was approved by a meeting of the Committee on the Development of Young Children, chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, at Government House on January 4. It consists of five major points: cognitive development and quick learning, worthwhile investments in developing pre-school children, reduction of disparity and bringing about social justice, building the foundations for life, and special emphasis on cultivating young children. The objective is to develop children under six years of age on a continual basis in various aspects of their life, such as nutrition, education, and care, so that they will be able to meet their full potential of health and well-being. Education Minister Woravat Auapinyakul said that Prime Miniister Yingluck attached great importance to the development of young children. The Ministry of Education would hold a meeting with relevant agencies before organizing a workshop to map out the plan, which would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on the Development of Young Children in early March. As for National Children’s Day, which this year falls on January 14, the organizing committee has set the Sanam Sua Pa area in Bangkok as the focal point for the celebration. The Prime Minister earlier offered a slogan for National Children’s Day 2012: “Unity, Knowledge, Wisdom, Preserving Thai Identity, and Learning Technology.” Thailand’s National Children's Day was held for the first time on the first Monday of October 1955, and later, it was changed to the second Saturday of January. The Government has set up an organizing committee to coordinate with various agencies in both public and private sectors to organize the celebration throughout the country. Many public buildings and places of interest, such as Government House, the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy, and Royal Thai Air Force, are open to children and youth to celebrate Children’s Day each year with functions, activities, and education programs. Gifts and food are given to children visiting those places. This year, the Department of Consular Affairs, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will organize activities for children at its office on Chaeng Watthana Road. Visiting children will be provided with knowledge on ASEAN and other issues concerning international relations. The organizing of Children’s Day is aimed at raising public awareness of the importance of children and youth, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.