When private companies are willing to pump a staggering 54 billion baht into a business venture like Iconsiam, just imagine what they are capable of doing to develop the potential of the country's workforce and education for the underprivileged.
Corporate social-responsibility programmes have accomplished much in this area through the years, but there is still a great deal of work to be done, as the disparity between rich and poor continues to widen. I can't help thinking what would happen if a fraction of what was spent on Iconsiam were invested in sending vocational students abroad to study. Wishful thinking, some might say, but we should be able to do both -- build a swanky mega city and good schools in the slums.
Housed on a 55 rai plot on Charoen Nakhon Road on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Iconsiam is being touted as the most happening place in Bangkok at the moment. Reports tell us that a record 1 billion baht was allocated to promote this mammoth establishment. A whopping 700 million baht of this was spent on three days of activities to celebrate the opening, while the remaining 300 million baht is for marketing until the end of the year.
There was a lot of buzz leading up to Iconsiam's grand opening earlier this month. A-list guests were flown in, dressed to the nines, to add extra glamour. No stone was left unturned in an attempt to make the grand opening an unforgettable one. Watching events unfold on social media, it was obvious that Iconsiam generates a significant number of jobs for Thais. That's definitely a plus. But what's next?
Many job applications would have been rejected. Perhaps because the applicants' grades were low. Perhaps because they had to neglect their studies in order to find work and support their families. Perhaps they couldn't afford to go to university. The list could go on. Many applicants that don't make the cut lack the opportunities to fulfil their potential.
Education grants do little for the average student. Greater emphasis should be put on promoting vocational education, which drives the economy in many developing countries. Thailand has never been big on supporting alternative education, even if things are gradually improving on this front. Nevertheless, to make a real difference, we need people in the private sector to get involved. By that I do not mean occasionally donating computers and sharing know-how, but investing financially in the future.
This could come in several forms: send students abroad on study trips; build community schools with effective staff and curricula; or provide further opportunities for underprivileged children, such as scholarships granted for things other than academic excellence.
The modern business owner might hear this and baulk. "What's in it for me?" they ask. Well, to start with they would get more applicants who are well-rounded, in terms of both experience and know-how, with the potential to take their business to the next level. They would also likely be more grateful for their jobs and work diligently to reach their career goals.
Years ago when I was at the travel desk of this newspaper, a senior hotel executive once told me: "If we really want to see our business grow and become competitive, we have to invest in our workforce. We need to allocate a budget to provide them with training and offer incentives to work hard. It is a long-term investment that I believe is worth the effort."
It comes as no surprise that the level of free education offered to students from disadvantaged families is substandard. My hairdresser's daughter, a bright nine-year-old, is a case in point. When I saw her school books, I was shocked to see that she was still learning her ABCs. She could barely spell and could count from one to 10 but no further.
During the hour I spent getting my hair done, I saw her potential to learn. After teaching her to spell simple words, she was able to string together a sentence, looking pleased as punch with her accomplishment. I was impressed and wondered what she might be able to achieve with a proper education.
Developing Thailand's workforce and education requires people with deep pockets who, above all, have a long-term vision that would see Thais from all levels of society being given the opportunity to fulfil their potential in the job market. Can I see a show of hands from business investors who share this dream? Maybe someone from Iconsiam would like to take up the challenge.
Yvonne Bohwongprasert is a feature writer for the Life section of the Bangkok Post.
