Teachers told to bed down at South schools

Prayuth suggests they board for own safety

The army is proposing to have teachers in the violence-plagued far South board at schools to reduce the risk of being attacked by insurgents during their commutes.

Security agencies have tried their best to provide safety for teachers, but the attacks continue, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday.

Teachers are among the insurgent groups' prime targets and it is impossible to protect them at all times, he said. Teachers regularly travel alone for personal errands and activities.

"The only way to improve safety for teachers is to have them stay overnight at the school so they don't have to travel back and forth, increasing the risk of being attacked," he said.

"I know this would not be easy because the teachers have families to take care of, but we have to think of every possible way to protect them."

Militants shot and killed Nanthana Kaewchan, 51, the director of Ban Tha Kam Sam School in Nong Chik district, on Thursday. Nanthana was the 155th teacher killed since the southern violence flared in 2004.

The killing prompted the Confederation of Teachers of Southern Border Provinces (CTSB) to announce the closure of 332 schools in Pattani to pressure for a review of security measures.

Deputy army spokesman Winthai Suwari said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had ordered the Internal Security Operation Command to improve security for teachers in the far South. Providing accommodation for teachers at school would be among measures proposed for teachers' consideration, Col Winthai said. This will also make it easier for security officers to look after the teachers, he said.

Teachers and administrators of schools in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla provinces yesterday met 4th army commander Lt-Gen Udomchai Thamsarorat at Sirindhorn Camp in Pattani's Yarang district.

Isoc Region 4 spokesman Pramote Prom-in said teachers were told that the army would improve their security, particularly in high-risk areas.

Security officers and teachers had earlier drafted a plan for teachers' protection for 2013, but it will now be revised following the latest attacks.

Teachers and security officers agreed during the meeting to review security plans every month. The meetings will be chaired by the district chief, Col Promote said.

Yesterday marked the first day of school closures in Pattani.

Most schools appeared lifeless. Only a few children living close by could be seen playing in school grounds.

"Teachers told us on Monday evening that there would be no classes," said a student who was playing with friends in one quiet school playground.

"We can feel our teachers' fear," he said.

The student expected his Ban Talubo community school, which is in Muang district, to reopen next Monday.

Meanwhile, many students in Pattani municipality will continue their studies as usual at provincial- and municipal-run schools, which remain open.

Officials have tightened security for those schools, as well as at 369 elementary schools in neighbouring Narathiwat province which stayed open.

Education minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said yesterday he would meet teachers from the CTSB on Friday to discuss measures to help teachers in the far South with their security and financial needs.

Chinnapat Bhumirat, secretary-general to the Office of the Basic Education Commission, said the CTSB's proposal to increase a monthly risk allowance for southern teachers from 2,500 to 3,000 baht might be discussed.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/323397/teachers-told-to-bed-down-at-south-schools