Trinuch seeks answers to girl’s death

Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong has called to expedite an investigation into what exactly drove a 14-year-old female student to commit suicide.

The story came to light when a popular Facebook page, Yak Dang Chat Hai Return Part 3, published the teenager’s story, sparking a public outcry.

The last straw is said to have been the advice of a student counsellor who told her to quit studying at Satri Phatthalung School due to her financial problems, according to the friend.

The girl texted several of her friends before hanging herself at midnight last Friday at her home, saying she wanted her death to send a message to the school and to her family that things need to change.

Afterwards, the school and the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) launched a fact-finding probe. It is expected to finish within seven days.

Ms Trinuch said yesterday that an initial investigation suggested there was a miscommunication between the girl and her student counsellor.

Ms Trinuch said the girl was under pressure due to her family’s financial problems. She was also struggling as her mother wanted her to switch to a school near the family home in Songkhla instead of continuing her studies in Phatthalung, but the girl refused.

The minister said her suicide pointed to the importance of a good school counselling programme, which needs to be improved to support students better.

Ms Trinuch said student counsellors must understand the issues students are facing, including their family situations and financial issues, in addition to providing classroom lessons, annual academic consultancies and career guidelines for students.

Furthermore, schools should provide enough funds to ensure the education system is accessible to all, Ms Trinuch said.

“A school counselling programme is of the utmost importance to help maintain students’ mental health,” according to Ms Trinuch.