ID :
141287
Wed, 09/08/2010 - 15:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/141287
The shortlink copeid
365 schools closed in Narathiwat's insurgent-affected zones
BANGKOK, Sept 8 - After educators voted yesterday for a three-day closure in response to the killing of two Narathiwat teachers, 365 schools in 'red zones' in this southernmost Thai border province Wednesday began the first day of a closure intended to send a message to Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat who said he is seeking extra security measures to protect teachers in the insurgency-impacted provinces.
The Narathiwat school closures came as the Teachers' Federation in the three southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat on Tuesday resolved that all 465 schools in the red 'high-risk' zones should be closed for three days for safety reason after Wilas Kongkham, 54, a teacher at Baan Mananggayi School, and his wife, Komkam Petchprom, 53, a teacher at Tungtohdang School, were shot dead by presumed insurgents Tuesday morning.
The latest violence raises the death toll of teachers killed by presumed insurgents to 137th since 2004 when the violence re-erupted in the restive region.
The teachers' federation, which immediately called an urgent meeting of local teachers across the region after the attack, however said it depends on each school individually to consider the closure, while urging security concerned agencies to adjust and improve the security plan for the safety of teachers.
On Wednesday, 365 schools in 13 districts of Narathiwat decided to close until Friday, while some other 60 schools, mostly in the provincial seat, remain open amid tight security.
Education minister Chinnaworn said he agreed with the temporary closure of the schools and that he is now asking the security agencies to provide added security measures for local teachers in the deep South.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban who supervises national security said on Wednesday that he will discuss with concerned agencies over tightened security measures for teachers, as well as the construction of a teachers' housing community in the school compounds to facilitate and reduce risk during their travel.
Mr Suthep however conceded the security agencies are at a disadvantage as they have been on the defensive from the attacks, while saying he believes security measures will be stepped up after the new commander of Army Region 4 takes post. (MCOT online news)
The Narathiwat school closures came as the Teachers' Federation in the three southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat on Tuesday resolved that all 465 schools in the red 'high-risk' zones should be closed for three days for safety reason after Wilas Kongkham, 54, a teacher at Baan Mananggayi School, and his wife, Komkam Petchprom, 53, a teacher at Tungtohdang School, were shot dead by presumed insurgents Tuesday morning.
The latest violence raises the death toll of teachers killed by presumed insurgents to 137th since 2004 when the violence re-erupted in the restive region.
The teachers' federation, which immediately called an urgent meeting of local teachers across the region after the attack, however said it depends on each school individually to consider the closure, while urging security concerned agencies to adjust and improve the security plan for the safety of teachers.
On Wednesday, 365 schools in 13 districts of Narathiwat decided to close until Friday, while some other 60 schools, mostly in the provincial seat, remain open amid tight security.
Education minister Chinnaworn said he agreed with the temporary closure of the schools and that he is now asking the security agencies to provide added security measures for local teachers in the deep South.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban who supervises national security said on Wednesday that he will discuss with concerned agencies over tightened security measures for teachers, as well as the construction of a teachers' housing community in the school compounds to facilitate and reduce risk during their travel.
Mr Suthep however conceded the security agencies are at a disadvantage as they have been on the defensive from the attacks, while saying he believes security measures will be stepped up after the new commander of Army Region 4 takes post. (MCOT online news)
