BANGKOK, 15 January 2015 Teachers in the restive South are calling for an educational reform, which is hoped to help restore peace and prevent violence in the 3 southern border provinces.
Mr Boonsom Tongsriprai, Chairman of the Southern Teachers Federation, yesterday handed a petition to the second vice president of the National Reform Council (NRC), Dr Tassana Boonton, requesting that the NRC promptly push for educational reform in southern provinces, given that better education would help bring peace and unity among the residents, and is believed to help resolve and prevent violent acts taking place in the area.
According to Mr Boonsom, a large number of people have been affected by the unrest during the past decade, with educators being the group targeted the most, adding that many teachers have lost their lives while those still alive have to live in fear.
The federation has also called for educational equality, saying every individual must have equal access to education and that the curriculum offered in the Deep South must meet the same requirements as those offered in other areas.
Furthermore, teachers in the South should also be entitled to welfare, benefits, and other privileges, all of which can encourage them to carry on their daily routines educating and fostering the youngsters, he said.
In reply, the second NRC vice president said the reform body emphasizes the significance of welfare and more importantly the safety of the teachers working in the South, promising the teachers that the petition will be forwarded to the NRC meeting for consideration as soon as possible.
