SONGKHLA, Dec 14 — Schools in four districts of Songkhla remained closed as teachers in so-called “red zones”–deemed by the authorities as high rsk — urged the government to step up security measures for teacher protection similar to the measures provided for teachers in the neighbouring three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.
Schools in the four districts under the Office of the Songkhla Educational Service Area Zone 3 are closed for the second day in accordance with the resolution of the Federation of Teachers in Three Southern Provinces.
The Federation on Wednesday agreed to close all schools yesterday and today to permit security agencies sufficient time to assess their operations in providing teacher protection after two teachers were killed when apparent insurgents invaded a school lunchroom at Baan Bango School in Mayor district on Tuesday.
Teachers working in the “red zones”, villages with high rates of insurgent activity, are worried that they could be targets of insurgent attack as well.
The Songkhla teachers called for government protection including the same security measures as teachers in the three southernmost provinces.
The schools will reopen Monday or not would depend on the Federation’s decision.
