An Education Ministry meeting yesterday agreed to allow all schools in Bangkok to start their new semester on Monday except 28 schools located in "red zones" or special control areas that will be allowed to start on May 31.
The special control areas are considered to be risky for stuŽdents to travel to. Many of them are still being cleaned up after the clashes between troops and antigovernment protesters.
Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat urged the schools' executives to follow the situation closely, inform parents, take care of students' safety and coordinate with pubŽlic transportation to facilitate students' travel.
He also urged schools nationwide to guard their propŽerties round the clock after three schools - in Nong Khai, Yasothon and Khon Kaen - were hit by fires. Factfinding panels have already been set up to investigate the causes.
Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Secondary School director Chuchai Ratanapinyopong said the new semester would begin on May 31 due to the incident. Though Chulalongkorn University does not yet allow anyone to enter the area, he is confident the school will be ready by the time of the new semester. However, the director is still worried about students' safety.
"We already had a school safety plan by urging teachers to keep an eye on students and we encouraged parents to come pick students up by themselves. Moreover, I will ensure that the school safety plan will be strictly followed," said Chuchai.
For the new semester, there will be no change in the school's schedule.
Sri Ayudhya School is another school located in the red zone and many of the students are from the critical area. School director Chamnong Chamchantharawong said the safety of students and parents always comes first.
"The sound of bombs has been heard around the area for the last two or three days. However, there is no report today. But, the damaged buildŽings near the school have not yet been repaired. I think it is a great idea to postpone the beginning of the semester. So students and parents won't be at risk," Chamnong said.
Currently, the school is under the control of police, who have set up an office in the baseŽment.
Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmit Demonstration School (Elementary) deputy director Trairat Pipatpokkapole said the school would start the new semester on May 31, which was the normal schedule if no violence had occurred.
He said the school had to postpone students' registration scheduled on May 17 indefinitely after the clashes occurred.
"We will let students take their new uniforms at the school on May 26. If necessary, probably it will reopen before the registration, although students normally need to register before a new semester starts," said Trairat.
"Apart from students' security, traffic is also another big problem. Uncertain timetables of the BST Skytrain, the MRT subway and public buses may cause trouble, as our students live in different parts of Bangkok," he added.