SCHOOL PROTEST

Assumption to resume classes

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Education minister expresses relief as reopening moved forward

Both the primary and secondary sections at Bangkok's Assumption College will resume classes tomorrow, rather than on February 1 as previously announced, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana said yesterday.

Assumption College director Anant Prichavudhi's suspended classes after some 300 black-clad teachers, parents and students protested against the college's planned merger of its primary and secondary sections.

Pongthep said the ministry was most concerned about the effect of the abrupt suspension on students, so it was a relief to learn that studies would resume tomorrow. He said the ministry would help to resolve any outstanding problems.

Private Education Commission acting secretary-general Charnwit Tapsuphan would meet with and gather facts from college executives from both sections tomorrow.

An announcement by Anant was posted on the school website saying the school would be open tomorrow as usual. "The protest ended on Friday night and I hope such incidents won't happen again, because it could hurt students' safety and the school administration," it said.

Dr Sitthichai Parinyanusorn, a teacher who serves as spokesperson for the Save the AC (Assumption College) Group, said the statement was posted after Anant's visit to the school yesterday afternoon. The group was continuing to monitor the situation at the school, Sitthichai said.

Brother Sirichai Fonseka, the chairman of the St Gabriel Foundation, which holds the college's operating licence, planned to hold a press conference today. The venue had yet to be disclosed, Sitthichai said. The Save the AC Group, and the foundation, has called for Anant's removal and the return of his predecessor.

Established over a century ago, Assumption College is one of Thailand's best known boys-only schools. The St Gabriel Foundation has about 17 educational institutions under its care.

Assumption College's primary school is located on Soi St Louis, while the secondary section is located on Soi Charoenkrung 40.

Anant has faced a barrage of criticism on many issues, including his recent decision to merge the primary and secondary sections. Things came to a head on Friday, when he ordered a temporary closure of the entire college.

-- The Nation 2013-01-27

Lost: one face, carefully tended and manged.

Please contact, Assumption College Directors Office, Bangkok.

This could be a great story to watch.

Assumption is an educational behemoth and like most 'educational' facilities in Thailand, are being driven by money. There are plenty of students willing to fill the classes and plenty of parents willing to pay the huge fees, but Assumption wants to consolidate to maximise more money. Education at large now is all about money, not knowledge (transfer), and that is sad.

It's all about FACE AND MONEY IN FAVOR OF THE RICH THAI HIGH SO PEOPLE...

Is this news an assumption on the news papers part or for real?

There will be a payoff & then the next imbecile will come in - no doubt a friend of one or more of the largest donators

There will be a payoff & then the next imbecile will come in - no doubt a friend of one or more of the largest donators

There's certainly no shortage of donations; it's the Catholic church:) Schools of this ilk are far from short on cash. Only God know where it all goes when you see the state of the classrooms and facilities for learning and teaching. The buildings and grounds usually look good though:)

Assumption is an educational behemoth and like most 'educational' facilities in Thailand, are being driven by money. There are plenty of students willing to fill the classes and plenty of parents willing to pay the huge fees, but Assumption wants to consolidate to maximise more money. Education at large now is all about money, not knowledge (transfer), and that is sad.

There was an article on here recently from The Nation/ Thai Visa here with the school proudly saying that they think they are treating the teachers great now as the contribute 45B a YEAR towards the teachers uniforms and lunches while at the school..

"However, he said the foundation had been taking good care of its teaching staff and was contributing Bt45 per teacher to the welfare fund every year to cover free lunch, uniforms and birthday gifts"

What planet are these freaks on? Planet Thailand !

Thing is it was a nation report so the content is probably not as accurate as it should be.

Thing is it was a nation report so the content is probably not as accurate as it should be.

In Thailand, an inacurate story in the 'newspapers', no way!

THE TEACHERS, not the director, closed the school by protest because the director wanted to cut the pay and start everyone at square 1 again, IT WORKED!