Chumphon: The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has mandated the transfer of a school director after an incident where students were compelled to raise the national flag amidst heavy rain and thunder. This decision follows the establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event.
According to Thai News Agency, the case began when a teacher filmed a video showing students being ordered by the director to raise the national flag on the morning of May 16, despite adverse weather conditions. The teacher and a janitor expressed concerns that the director’s actions showed a lack of concern for the children’s health and safety.
The director of the school in Chum Kho Subdistrict, Pathio District, posted an apology on social media, acknowledging the error in judgment and expressing regret for the incident. Despite offering a gift basket and 1,000 baht in cash to the parents of the involved students as an apology, the parents returned these items, expressing dissatisfaction with the director’s actions.
The director, who had been in his position for only six months after serving as the deputy director of a kindergarten in the same district, now faces a reassignment to the Office of the Primary Education Area, Chumphon Area 1. Dr. Saksith Raethong, director of the Chumphon Primary Educational Service Area Office 1, addressed over 100 parents at the school, allowing them to voice their concerns.
Parents reported that teachers had opposed the director’s decision due to safety concerns, but their objections were overruled. Additional complaints indicated that the director often pressured school staff to comply with his orders, disregarded parental input, and frequently engaged in conflicts with parents. Many parents threatened to transfer their children if the director remained, citing dissatisfaction with his leadership.
Lt. Col. Thanu Wongchinda, Secretary-General of OBEC, stated that the director’s actions were deemed inappropriate and warranted the transfer and investigation. He emphasized the importance of using proper discretion in school management, especially during the new semester, and reiterated that schools have autonomy over certain policies, such as student hairstyles, following the ministry’s lifting of previous bans. The issue of teacher duties was also addressed, with a focus on ensuring teachers’ safety and preventing schools from mandating unnecessary duties.