“Country Group Holdings” joins hands with the Ministry of Education, led by the OVEC and OBEC, in vocational skills training programme for primary school students titled “Education on Wheels by CGH”

Bangkok – In recognition of the importance of vocational skills improvement, Country Group Holdings Public Company Limited (CGH) joins hands with the Ministry of Education’s Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) and the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) in initiating a vocational skills training programme for senior primary school students (fifth to sixth graders). Entitled “Education on Wheels by CGH”, the programme is designed to enhance vocational knowledge so that students can find a sustainable career and open door for more employment opportunities. The project also aims to boost vocational expertise among students from 50 schools countrywide, in response to the future expansion of labour market in Thailand.

Education Minister, Dr. Teerakiat Jareonsettasin, who presided over the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony of the project said that “With the Ministry of Education’s mission to encourage both formal and non-formal education as well as to provide more employment opportunities for Thai youth across the country, we are delighted that a private sector like Country Group Holdings Public Company Limited or CGH realizes the significance of education support among Thai kids and subsequently sets up an educational programme that is proven beneficial for the society at large. As a public sector, the Ministry of Education steps in to lend a supporting hand, be it in terms of curriculum and know-how development as well as the recruitment of participating academic institutes and personnel suitable for the project. This is considered one of the most momentous collaborations between the public and private sector to elevate the standard of Thai education to be in line with the government’s plans and operations.

Tommy Taechaubol, Chief Executive Officer of Country Group Holdings Public Company Limited (CGH), added that “Along with the company’s operation and business development, we never cease to focus on social improvement especially in terms of education which will be an important stepping stone for Thai youth to maximize their potential to move the nation forward. And to follow His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s philosophy on Sustainable Development, the company has therefore initiated

‘Education on Wheels by CGH’ with an aim to promote sustainable knowledge and income for primary school students. The company has signed the MOU with the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) and the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) under the Ministry of Education. They are the integral part of the effort for youth vocational skills development and the expansion of career opportunities countrywide. This is also to increase the number of vocational students to meet the demand of Thailand’s expanding labour market in the future.”

Education on Wheels by CGH is a skill improvement programme targeting senior primary school students (grade 5th -6th) across the country especially those in “ICU” schools or the schools in the middle of academic crisis. This is in line with the government’s policy, “Moderate Class More Knowledge”, on education to lessen classroom time and increase outdoor learning. The programme will be carried out based on the concept of “Sustainable Education Investment” expected to benefit children who lack learning equipment and proper knowledge. Under the curriculum developed by the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), the programme will provide three training classes in three areas namely 1. Basic mechanics 2. Computing and 3. Farming. Instructors will be recruited from Vocational Certificate and High Vocational Certificate institutes so that they can effectively teach primary school students from 50 small-to-medium-sized primary schools nationwide. Besides, the programme will also indirectly help vocational students to grow up and become part of qualified academic human resources of the country.

Karoon Sakulpradit, secretary-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), said “OBEC’s priority is to encourage all Thai children to have quality education. This time the Office plays a part in selecting 50 small-to-medium-sized primary schools which fall short of learning tools and human resources to join the project. 7 schools are from Nakhon Pathom, 7 from Kanchanaburi, 6 from Chachoengsao, 7 from Nan, 8 from Phayao, 7 from Nong Khai and 8 from Nong Bua Lam Phu. Also, we work closely with the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC) to get vocational school students to teach basic knowledge and get hands-on experience until the participating primary school students can rely on themselves such as when they are to fix water pipes, furniture, and computers or to grow their own garden vegetables. This will potentially provide them with wider career opportunities so that they can earn some incomes for themselves and families and also pass the knowledge onto future generations.”

Suthep Chittayawong, secretary-general of the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), said “OVEC has urged vocational schools in 7 provinces, Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, Chachoengsao, Nan, Phayao, Nong Khai and Nong Bua Lam Phu, to

send 600 Vocational Certificate and High Vocational Certificate students who specialize in basic mechanics, computing and faming to join the project. These students will receive additional skill trainings so that they are equipped with adequate knowledge and ready to pass it onto primary school students who join the programme. Education on Wheels is expected to enable these vocational students to successfully become a moving mechanism for the country’s economic and industrial sectors. Moreover, OVEC has also developed a curriculum that is suitable for senior primary school students, underlining hands-on learning and self-thinking process. This allows students to do the real things in the real environment.”

Education on Wheels by CGH will kick off in June this year. At present, vocational school students are being provided orientation with more trainings focusing on teaching skills. Ban Nonghin School and Wat Sriwisanwaja School in Nakhon Pathom will be the first two places they will start teaching primary school kids before moving further to other schools across Thailand.

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