THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Stealing from children’s school meals is as low as one can go 

Stealing from children’s school meals is as low as one can go 

Re “Surat Thani school boss dismissed”, National, June 13.

I cannot imagine how anyone with a conscience would steal food from the plates of schoolchildren. The picture showing the kid’s nearly empty plate with a small handful of plain noodles without toppings and garnishes is shocking and disheartening.
Ordinary bribery and corruption involves the transfer of money or something worth money from one coffer to the other. Corruption of this kind deprives children of  the nourishment they need for their normal growth – a loss that cannot be retrieved.
It would be unacceptable if this was a case of malpractice by the school’s purchasing or kitchen staff, let alone the school’s highest executive appointed by the Education Authority. 
As the Surat Thani Governor said, “the case of pupils fed with plain rice noodles and fish sauce” was a bad apple that has affected the whole of Surat Thani education. Shouldn’t the Governor take this opportunity to examine the rest of the apples on the tree too?
Yingwai Suchaovanich

nationthailand