Mobile phones are fast becoming an essential fashion item for students, but they are also the cause of undesirable behaviour among youth, said a Vientiane Education Department official on Monday.
The Acting Director of the Education Department, Mr Khamphouang Choummaly, raised the issue for discussion with the Vice-President of the Lao National Assembly, Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, Deputy Minister of Education Ms Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun, and Education Department directors at a meeting held at the ministry on Monday.
Mr Khamphouang said while having a mobile phone meant students felt safer when away from home they had become a tool for students to organise activities such as group binge drinking, road racing, drug taking and truancy.
He said the department recently established the School Drug Free Study Project, with support from the Swedish government. The project surveyed 600 students, from 14 schools in seven villages around Vientiane , to determine their drinking habits.
The survey found that 39 percent of students regularly went to beer shops to drink. Sixty-one percent of people surveyed said drinking beer led to loss of control and involvement in activities they might later regret.
According to the survey 25 percent of people questioned continue their drinking at a nightclub after going to a beer shop.
The majority of those surveyed said the age of those most likely to go to a nightclub was 11 to 18. Only 37 percent said people aged 18 to 25 went to a nightclub.
The survey also found that 43 percent of students believed drinking beer causes fighting, 38 percent said it led to gambling, 26 percent stated it could result in drug abuse and 25 percent believed road racing occurred after drinking.
“We have tried to solve these problems and make students aware of the correct way to behave,” Mr Khamphouang said.
He said students had been informed about the dangers of drugs and their consequences.
Laos should have a low or regulation to force lao people in using mobile phone. For example, using mobile phone on the bus, car, and other types of vehicles is strictly prohibited.
All beershops should check the ID card of students who less than 18 years old.
Before start the class, the teacher should warn students to set their mobile phone in manner mode, or turn off it untill the class finished. We have to warn them for sometimes before they get use to it.
Many members here doesn't think Laos PDR should regulate drinking of alcohol.
I think any country should regulate it for this reason alone. Kids will be kids. They will drink and party and get into trouble intentionally or not. That is just being teenagers. It doesn't matter they are Laotians, European, or American.
Many members here doesn't think Laos PDR should regulate drinking of alcohol.
I think any country should regulate it for this reason alone. Kids will be kids. They will drink and party and get into trouble intentionally or not. That is just being teenagers. It doesn't matter they are Laotians, European, or American.
There is a minimum drinking age requirement in the Lao PDR but enforcement is weak due to the lack of resources. The Lao Authority are currently targeting nightclubs in the Vientiane Municipality and all major cities throughout the Country. All nightclubs must closed at midnight. Violators can face a hefty fine or have their business license revoke. The the recent years many Beer Shop near school grounds have had been closed down by the Lao Authority.
Many members here doesn't think Laos PDR should regulate drinking of alcohol.
I think any country should regulate it for this reason alone. Kids will be kids. They will drink and party and get into trouble intentionally or not. That is just being teenagers. It doesn't matter they are Laotians, European, or American.
There is a minimum drinking age requirement in the Lao PDR but enforcement is weak due to the lack of resources. The Lao Authority are currently targeting nightclubs in the Vientiane Municipality and all major cities throughout the Country. All nightclubs must closed at midnight. Violators can face a hefty fine or have their business license revoke. The the recent years many Beer Shop near school grounds have had been closed down by the Lao Authority.
