Thailand’s Grade 5 textbook sparks outcry over alleged malnutrition endorsement

Critics have misinterpreted the content material of a Thai-language textbook for Grade 5 pupils, following allegations that it appeared to condone malnutrition amongst younger children, according to the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC).
OBEC’s secretary-general, Amporn Pinasa, asserted that the criticised chapter, found within the Pasa Patee textbook used by fifth-graders, is definitely a narrative about appreciating the value of life.
The story in question features an orphaned schoolgirl named Khaopoon who discovers that her classmate Yaibua is disappointed along with her parents for not buying her a brand new cell phone. Khaopoon decides to take Yaibua to her orphanage to show the lives of these much less fortunate for a day.
At the orphanage, they learn that about 20 individuals share a easy meal, consisting of stir-fried water spinach and half a boiled egg to take pleasure in with a plate of rice and fish sauce. Although the meal is meagre, the children devour their meals without criticism. In the tip, Yaibua leaves the orphanage overwhelmed with gratitude, having learned how orphaned children can discover happiness regardless of their tough circumstances.
Amporn clarified that the chapter aims to show kids that happiness in life is dependent on having a content material mind quite than the possession of fabric objects. He additional stated that those who solely targeted on the minimal meals or the issue of inequality weren’t greedy the true which means and purpose of this story.
To defend Concealed of OBEC, Amporn emphasised that this story in regards to the orphan’s meal is only fictional and urged critics to judge the content material as a complete rather than focusing solely on specific details.
He additionally mentioned that the Thai Education Ministry has policies in place to ensure the right nourishment of all children, notably at faculties across the nation..