Since September 6, 2021, more than 7,000 students across Thailand have promised to skip class as a form of protest against virtual learning.
With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing young Thai pupils to attend online classes, issues such as resource inequality have been a huge highlight, something that has become a real problem since schools shut their gates in April 2021.
Of course, for those who are more well-off and can afford to dish out cash on a basic learn-from-home setup, the transition to virtual learning has been rather smooth. However, not everyone has access to such equipment. And that doesn't even factor in whether or not certain households have a stable internet connection, if at all.
There have also been reports of teachers abusing their authority online, imposing archaic 'disciplinary' rules, such as forcing students to wear their school uniforms at home, and making them ask for permission to do basic things like drink water.
Thai activist group Bad Student has led a call to 'arms', encouraging students across the country to ditch class.
Their campaign's hashtag also speaks very clearly for itself: #ImFuckingDoneWithOnlineClasses (#????????????????????????).
IMAGE: Bad Student / Facebook
Slated to last until September 10, the student solidarity protests aren't just calling for an end to virtual learning, they're also calling on authorities to beef up vaccinations among students and teachers, as well as to reduce workloads. At least, for as long as schools remain closed.
Students are also encouraged to sign in to class, change their profile pictures into certain requests pertaining to the campaign, and then sign out. Like this:
IMAGE: Bad Student / Facebook
"If we all work together to stop studying, then the person in trouble will be the authorities," a call-to-action reads on the Bad Student Facebook page.
"It's not that students are lazy and don't want to learn. But our online learning has been far too repressive, sometimes forcing students out of the education system entirely."
A student holds a sign that reads, "I was sexually abused by a teacher. School is not a safe place." in a protest back in November 2020. IMAGE: Thai Enquirer / Facebook
In the past, the Bad Student activist group has also championed for LGBTQ rights in schools, with affected students from the group often facing discrimination from teachers and the school administration.
Other issues they've highlighted include sexual abuse against minors, the high cost of school uniforms, the lack of gender equality, as well as the current nationwide protests calling for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's resignation.
One video currently making its rounds on social media shows a group of students 'hanging' one of their pupils from an elevated walkway, along with a giant banner that reads, "The education system is failing 1.8 million students because online learning takes students for granted."
Of course, if you watch the video, the student isn't actually hanging by her neck. These morbid displays of protest have definitely gotten the message across. Students want reform in the Thai education system.
Make of that what you will.
To keep up with the ongoing student protests, check out Bad Student on Facebook.
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Cover image sourced from Thalufah / Facebook and Bad Student / Facebook.
