Reports of disabled student's expulsion probed

"School officials and relevant teachers will face immediate punishment if they really have dismissed the girl," Pramote said.

Salitra Wongsa, 8, said she had been told not to go Ban Khoklamklangtamyae School in Phon district any more, because teachers considered her a burden.

Her grandmother, Phian, has asked authorities to help Salitra.

A local education official was looking into the matter yesterday.

"There's some conflicting information," Chatree Deethonglarng said yesterday in his capacity as deputy director of the Khon Kaen Educational Service Area 3 office.

He said the school insisted Salitra had been told to stop attending class only until she sought medical treatment, out of concern the girl's health could deteriorate further.

Over the past three years, the girl's health has worsened to the point where she is now unable to walk unaided.

"We'll investigate this case further," Chatree said.

Bureau of Special Education Administration director Theera Jantarat said Salitra should be transferred to a school in Khon Kaen for children with special needs.

"Ban Khoklamklangtamyae School has no expertise in this type of case," he said.

Theera said Salitra wanted to remain in her old school.

"There will be further discussions, including with her grandmother, too. If Salitra does stick with her old school, physical therapists must be assigned to help her. If she does not receive proper healthcare, her muscles will weaken even further, limiting her mobility even more in turn," he said.