Obec to meet public over small schools
The Office of Basic Education Commission (Obec) yesterday established a joint committee to handle small schools in collaboration with local communities.
The committee comprises academics, representatives from government agencies, small schools, the Council of Alternative Education, community organisations, and local administrative bodies.
Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana has agreed to set up this committee after representatives from various groups sought a meeting with him to raise their concerns last week about the controversial policy to close down small schools or those having fewer than 60 students each.
Obec secretary-general Chinnapat Bhumirat yesterday said the joint committee would convene its first meeting soon.
“I have planned to propose that 49 small schools become community schools,” he said.
He also said that his agency would compile plans on how to manage small schools in 182 educational service areas before the end of this month.
“Then, we will present the overall picture for the education minister to decide on how many small schools will need to be closed down this year,” Chinnapat said.
