Calling for Justice

(18/03/2013)

On 13 March 2013, Mrs. Paveena Hongsakul, the chairperson of the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women, visited the Ministry of Education with Mrs. Somkhuan Rungthong, the grandmother of Anuphat Samthong, a five year old boy, from Suphanburi. They came to meet the Minister of Education, Mr. Phongthep Thepkanjana, and call for justice after Anuphat was hurt and severely injured by Grade 1 students at the same school.

According to Mrs. Paveena, Mrs. Somkhuan asked her for help after the incident which left Anuphat, a kindergarten student, in a coma and unconscious with complications. The symptom is so serious that the student was transferred from Chao Phraya Yommarat Hospital to Chulalongkorn Hospital. Mrs. Somkhuan added that the boy's parents and relatives had learned what had happened when they asked the school. They were informed that, at lunchtime, a Grade 1 student had hit Anuphat's head and a Grade 7 student had pushed him down. Then the Grade 1 student punched him again. The school did not give any further explanation as to why the situation had happened, so the boy's relatives were asking Mrs. Paveena to help them.

Mrs. Paveena said that such incidents had happened to others students before, because, during lunchtime, no one supervised the students at school. However, Anuphat is a very young boy and the school should have informed the parents or relatives immediately instead of telling them nothing.

Mr. Phongthep, thanking Mrs. Paveena for her deep concern, said that taking care of students at school is very important. This incident should be investigated in order to prevent any re-occurrence. The best way to solve the problem in the long run is not to transfer students to other schools but to enable all students to understand their rights and responsibilities. Teachers are supposed to take good care of them. However, this incident should be investigated quickly and those who had done wrong should be punished.

Finally, Mr. Phongthep said that he would ask ministerial staff to visit the school and thoroughly investigate the incident. In terms of other measures to be taken, he will ask the Deputy Minister of Education, Mr. Sermsak Pongpanit, who supervises the Office of the Basic Education Commission to formulate strict measures. The Ministry of Education will be responsible for Anuphat's medical expenses..