Call for full-time protection centre

Teachers in the far South yesterday called for the setting up of a protection centre to provide full-time security for them, while Human Rights Watch demanded that insurgents stop attacking school staff members.
Many schools reopened in the strife-torn region, but teachers’ fears remain.
The violence continued yesterday with two passengers killed and 13 others injured, five seriously, when insurgents fired M16 rifles on a pick-up truck in Narathiwat’s Joh I Rong district at 5.20pm. Two victims, yet to be identified at press time, succumbed to injuries.
Most schools in the deep south reopened yesterday for the first time since suspending classes last week out of fear for their safety following a series of brutal killings of teachers in recent weeks. There were no reports of attacks at schools yesterday.
Sanguan Intarak, chairman of the Narathiwat Teachers’ Federation, said schools in the area were under tight security to restore confidence among teachers, but staff members were waiting to see if the measures work.
“Teachers’ federations in three southernmost provinces have proposed the establishment of protection centres that have security officials assigned specifically to protect teachers. The proposal resulted from a lack of services providing full-time protection for teachers,” he said.
The centre would protect teachers in four Songkhla districts – Chana, Thepa, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi – plus the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Sanguan said at least 14 Buddhist teachers working in Narathiwat had applied for transfers out of the area following slayings in past weeks.
However, their requested transfers could not be met because of the possible effect on students and teaching schedules. To alleviate concerns, the teachers were moved to work at the provincial office on a temporary basis. When they feel confident to go back, or the situation improves, they can return to their own schools.
Three Buddhist teachers in Yala have also asked for transfers as they fear for their safety, Adul Promsaeng, director of the provincial educational office said. The requests were made after nine teachers in Yala were transferred to less risky areas, he said.
Some schools in Narathiwat, where two teachers were gunned down early this month, remained closed yesterday as some teachers still fear for their safety.
Som Poomkaew, acting director of the Pattani educational office, said an urgent meeting of educational personnel, whose morale has hit the lowest, was held to encourage teachers to resume work.
Brad Adams, Asia director for Human Rights Watch, had harsh words, saying “Insurgents in southern Thailand who execute teachers show utter depravity and disregard for humanity. These attacks harm not only teachers, but Muslim students, their families, and the broader Muslim community the insurgents claim to represent.
“Teachers are risking their lives to ensure children’s access to education in southern Thailand. But the government is still stuck in a cycle of ineffectual responses.”