PATTANI, The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4 and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) are jointly working toward developing an “Intensive Curriculum” in state-run schools that promotes education in both general program and Muslim studies to support demand of Muslim students.
At the ISOC Region 4 headquarters in Yarang District, Pattani, Lt-Gen Prakarn Cholayuth, commander of the Fourth Army Region met with Deputy Secretary-General of the SBPAC Piya Kittaworn and executives of the College of Islamic Studies, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, as well as those from the Demonstration School the Prince of Songkla University.
The meeting agreed that in order to expand educational opportunities in the South, it is necessary to arrange systematically both general education and intensive Islamic studies to satisfy the demand of Muslims who are the predominant group in southern Thailand. Most Muslim parents wish that their children can engage in both the general education program and Islamic schools and finish the education with both certificates.
Accordingly, the Thai government will support state-run schools in each community to provide intensive courses in general education and religious studies. The students will get double degrees, one for general education and the other for Islamic studies.
The double degrees will allow Muslim learners a wider chance to further their studies or enter the job market.
