Published on November 30, 2005

The education minister told some 30,000 teachers who gathered in Bangkok yesterday to protest against the plan to transfer schools to local administrative organisations that he could only promise that their views would be considered by Parliament. Whether schools nationwide remain under the Education Ministry or are transferred to local authorities will depend on Parliament, Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang told the teachers.

Despite the show of force from the teachers, Chaturon said the only promise he could make was that their demands would be taken into consideration and five teachers’ representatives would be allowed to participate in the parliamentary debate.

“I cannot guarantee results but I promise [your views] will be brought into consideration,” he told the teachers.

Teachers from across the nation began assembling early in the morning yesterday in front of the Education Ministry building. The demonstration was led by 12 teachers’ organisations and associations. The massive crowd blocked all roads leading to the ministry, especially Rajdam-noen Nork Road, for several hours.

The teachers waved banners and wore T-shirts backing the campaign to scrap the transfers.

Parliament will consider the draft decentralisation bill today. It will also consider allowing schools to transfer to local authorities on a voluntary basis. The demonstrating group of teachers want the “on a voluntary basis” clause removed to prevent any legal approval of the controversial transfers.

“The local authorities are not prepared for administering the education system. We should not put our schools at risk by relying on the authorities, as they lack educational expertise,” said a representative of the teachers’ group.

Uaychai Watha, one of the demonstration’s organisers, said the transfer would violate the Constitution as it allowed local authorities to “participate” in the management of schools.

“We are here today not to fight with local authorities but to fight the education policy of the government, which is at fault,” he said.

Chaturon said he would push the government whips to speed up the consideration process and complete its decision within three days, so that the bill could be submitted by December 7.

“A committee comprising 35 representatives from all sectors will be set up to work out the bill’s adjustments, and five seats will be available for representatives from the teachers’ alliance,” the education minister said.

“If you [the teachers] want to make any amendments, including the removal of the clause ‘on a voluntary basis’, you will have the chance to push for this during the revision process,” he said.

The process should be completed and the bill approved next month, he said.

Choowattana Chaiming, a teacher from Chaiyaphum and a leader of the group, said he was disappointed with Chaturon’s reaction to the issue.

“His stance is unclear, we received no answers from him,” he said.

Khanin Boonsuwan, a member of the Constitution Drafting Council, yesterday expressed support for the teachers’ alliance. He said he doubted the government’s interpretation of the Constitution that led to the bill being proposed today, and suggested that the teachers’ group submit the case to the Constitution Court.

“The Constitution states that administration of the education system is the duty of the state, with only limited participation by local authorities. How can our government interpret that to mean local administration organisations are state authorities?” he explained.

The teachers’ alliance said they would file a complaint to the Constitution Court tomorrow, through the Parliamentary Inspector.

Also yesterday, the national association of local administrative organisations submitted a letter to Prime Minster Thaksin Shinawatra asking him to drop the controversial bill. However, the premier demanded that they keep a low profile.

Some five teachers from Nakhon Ratchasima also gave flowers to Thaksin to show their support for the transfer policy.

The teachers’ alliance said they would have their representatives attend today’s parliamentary meeting throughout the day to keep a close eye on the proceedings.

They also threatened to stage a further demonstration in Bangkok on December 8 if the controversial clause “on a voluntary basis” remained in Article 30 of the bill.

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