Latest news with #OfficeoftheBasicEducationCommission
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
751 schools in border areas closed following clashes with Cambodia.
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) has ordered the temporary closure of 751 schools located in high-risk areas along the Thai-Cambodian border following escalating tensions. Obec secretary-general Thanu Wongjinda said on Friday that the decision was made in response to recent clashes near the Thai-Cambodian border. The move was in response to recent border violence, particularly in the wake of artillery shelling by Cambodian forces that hit a convenience store inside a PTT petrol station in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province on Thursday. The attack resulted in multiple casualties, including the death of a Mathayom 3 (Grade 9) female student. According to a report from Rattikorn Thongnet, director of the Secondary Educational Service Area Office for Sisaket and Yasothon provinces, schools situated near the conflict zone were instructed to evacuate students and suspend classes immediately. All schools were also directed to strictly follow Obec's emergency response protocols and monitor student safety closely, said Mr Thanu. Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat has ordered immediate psychological and welfare support for affected students and their families. The minister has outlined short-term (7–30 days) and long-term (3–12 months) recovery measures to prevent students from falling out of the education system, provide mental health support during displacement, and restore educational access in border communities. Obec will also provide assistance to the families of students affected by the violence, said Mr Thanu. As of 6pm on Thursday, a total of 751 schools have been temporarily closed. Ubon Ratchathani Primary Education Area 5: 95 schoolsUbon Ratchathani-Amnat Charoen Secondary Education Area: 4 schoolsSi Sa KetPrimary Education Area 3: 45 schoolsSi Sa Ket Primary Education Area 4: 132 schoolsSi Sa Ket Secondary Education Area: 12 schoolsBuri Ram Primary Education Area 2: 47 schoolsBuri Ram Primary Education Area 3: 34 schoolsBuri Ram Secondary Education Area: 4 schoolsSurin Primary Education Area 3: 233 schoolsSurin Secondary Education Area: 25 schoolsSa Kaeo Primary Education Area 1: 27 schoolsSa Kaeo Primary Education Area 2: 71 schoolsSa Kaeo Secondary Education Area: 7 schoolsChanthaburi Primary Education Area 2: 15 schools Obec executives and local education officials will conduct urgent field assessments and convene meetings to determine the next steps for educational continuity. Parents will be informed of developments and contingency plans, said the Obec chief. Previously, Obec had instructed education offices and schools in seven border provinces — Trat, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Buri Ram — to prepare alternative education models in collaboration with teachers and parents. Schools have also been advised to strictly follow emergency protocols and remain vigilant for further impacts. Safe school facilities may be repurposed as temporary shelters or aid centres for affected residents in their communities.
Bangkok Post
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Tough times ahead for small schools
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) is concerned about a nationwide decline in student enrolment, fearing the trend could accelerate the rising number of small schools, which are harder to manage under the current per-head funding system. The agency is also moving to address long-standing issues related to excessive teacher workloads. A proposal outlining strategies to alleviate these burdens will be submitted to the new education minister soon. Acting Sub Lt Thanu Wongjinda, secretary-general of the Basic Education Commission, said the student population under Obec's supervision has dropped by nearly 100,000 this academic year, from 6.4 million last year to just over 6.3 million as of June 10. The decline poses major challenges for many schools. Small schools also struggle with limited budgets and resources. Obec will hold a nationwide meeting with local education area directors from July 1–3. The goal is to explore management models and support mechanisms for small schools, while also preparing a plan to reduce teachers' non-instructional responsibilities. "We aim to ensure teachers can focus solely on teaching," Acting Sub Lt Thanu said. He said teachers are often given administrative work, including project management and procurement, areas in which they typically lack formal training. He cited the recent tragedy in Buri Ram province, where a teacher took her own life due to overwhelming non-teaching duties, underscoring the urgency of the issue. Acting Sub Lt Thanu said Obec is considering transferring such duties to administrative staff, but acknowledges that many require additional training, particularly in accounting and inventory control. "So, we're looking into tailored training programmes for school administrative officers. If we can remove these non-teaching tasks from teachers' shoulders, we're confident the overall quality of education will improve." The meeting also addressed safety concerns in schools along the Thai-Cambodian border. With 416 schools located in this region, Obec is prioritising student safety amid growing security risks. A recent survey found 160 schools have access to secure shelters, while 230 lack any form of bomb shelter. Acting Sub Lt Thanu said he had told the Office of Administration to identify high-risk schools needing attention and coordinate with state agencies to construct protective facilities. In the meantime, all border schools must conduct emergency drills and designate safety officers to oversee evacuation planning.
