Calling teachers “a second parent to children,” former Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome honored and encouraged more 4,000 Pattaya teachers and educational administrators at a National Teacher’s Day celebration at the National Indoor Sports Area.
The Jan. 16 ceremony honored teachers from the city’s 11 public schools, private institutions and day care centers. Nine monks opened the proceedings with a prayer service before Sonthaya and Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome presented a flower cone to pay respect to Their Majesties the King and Queen and HRH Princess Sirindhorn.
Bandit Siritanyong (right), vice chairman of the Thai-Chinese Culture and Economic Council, presents 11 scholarships worth 20,000 baht each, to Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome to give to students from each of the 11 public schools in Pattaya.
That was followed by a performance from students from Pattaya School No. 9. Janyarat Kanjanabut, a senior teacher and an advisor to Srisuvit School, then led attendees in chanting a poem to honor teachers.
Bandit Siritanyong, vice chairman of the Thai-Chinese Culture and Economic Council, presented 11 scholarships for students from each of the 11 public schools. He also awarded trophies, certificates and pins for the best schools and teachers.
Sonthaya, in his remarks, stressed the importance of teachers in guiding youths. Teachers, he said, are second parents to students and play important roles in developing society through education and hard work.
He continued, using several similes equating education to a brick foundation, gold leafing of a Buddha figure and jewelers polishing stones.
The former minister concluded by urging teachers to work with wisdom, mindfulness and benevolence for students according to His Majesty’s beliefs.
Itthiphol read a message from Paitoon Sinlarat, chairman of the Teachers Council of Thailand, who said teachers should be proud of their careers and contributions to society. Every teacher should work together to develop education to keep up with the modern world, play roles in bringing change to society, teach and learn, research, and be creative and knowledgeable about what is appropriate for children, he said.
