PATTANI, Dec 12 – Thailand’s teachers in the besieged southernmost provinces, represented by their Teachers Federation, on Wednesday endorsed a collective decision to close all schools in the provinces one day after presumed insurgents entered a school in Pattani and killed a teacher and the school principal.
The two teachers were shot dead while they were having lunch in the Baan Bango school in Mayor district on Tuesday.
The federation meeting action effectively closes all school tomorrow and Friday (December 13-14), to permit security agencies time to assess their operation in providing teachers’ protection, find and apprehend those who are guilty of attacking and killing the teachers.
The teachers are asking the security agencies to propose improved security plans to protect teachers on Monday.
Federation representatives conceded that both Buddhist and Muslim teachers fear for their safety and dare not to go to school.
Schools will reopen if the teachers can be confident in their safety and in the security that is provided. However, if their demands are not met, the educators will again reassess the situation and announce their next decision.
