Chaturon hailed as right man for job

Published on August 04, 2005 - Senior Education Ministry officials and interested parties yesterday welcomed the appointment of Chaturon Chaisang as their new chief.

Deputy Minister Rung Kaewdaeng said Chaturon had a good understanding of education, with many achievements related to that field. Chaturon also had experience as the former president of the Education Council and the education reform committee.

“I’m confident that he will continue moving the education agenda forward without interruption,” Rung said, adding that he would work well with his new boss.

“If education reform doesn’t proceed then there’s no one else to blame but us two,” he said.

Permanent Secretary Kasama Varavarn said Chaturon would take up the ongoing development of private education, as well as make administration of education in the far southern provinces more to the point. She would also seek useful advice from Chaturon on reorganising the ministry.

Pornnipa Limpaphayom, secretary-general of the Basic Education Commission, said Chaturon’s familiarity with education and officials’ acquaintance with him could yield good results. But his managerial style was a matter of concern, as his predecessor seemed to be quicker at materialising projects, she said.

Religious leaders, Islamic boarding schools and private Islamic schools were happy for Chaturon, said Nimu Makaje, deputy chairman of the Yala Islamic Committee. Chaturon was regarded as a Cabinet member with credibility and a man of compromise who went directly to locals for information.

He urged Chaturon to include local scholars and religious leaders in education administration.