Assumption to be put back on track

Yesterday, the college’s primary section joined with alumni for a “White Wednesday Walk Together”, with new college director Surasit Suckchai promising to pull the school out of crisis.
Assumption was plunged into scandal last month after teachers protested against then-director Anant Prichavudhi, accusing him of mismanagement and denying them a pay raise.
Anant was removed after he responded by suspending classes for more than a week last month. The school closure made headlines and attracted the attention of the education minister.
Assumption Association’s president, Wanlop Chearavanont, yesterday also attacked Anant for causing problems.
Surasit, meanwhile, said he would try to clear up misunderstandings, adding that he had already appointed a deputy director to see if school finances could support a pay raise for teachers.
“We are working on it,” he said.
Surasit also addressed teachers’ concerns over the plan to merge the college’s primary and secondary sections, saying he would listen to opinions from all sides. “I have already talked to teachers and I received a positive response. This is a good start,” he said.
Former Assumption student Supachoke Kowong, whose Save AC Group organised the “White Wednesday Walk Together”, said: “We wanted to show that problems at Assumption have eased and that all parties are working to restore its reputation.”
The Save AC Group is planning to call for the establishment of a new college board. “The board should be composed of representatives from various sectors including AC alumni and of AC students’ parents,” said Supachoke.
Members of the old board resigned en masse last week following the removal of Anant.