Local decision-making needed in South
Nuntana Kaewchan, director of Banta Kamcham School in Pattani's Nong Chik district, was fatally shot in the face and torso by misguided, cowardly M16-wielding gunmen.
This brave, noble patriot was driving to the funeral of a police officer when ambushed. Our ecumenical prayers go out to her bereaved family, loyal faculty and disillusioned, beloved pupils. Director Nuntana is the 154th civil servant school employee to fall victim to violence in the strife-torn deep South, educators presumably targeted because they authoritatively represent the Thai government.
The official line, accusing the insurgents of embracing a wrong version of history and a false teaching of Islam ideology smacks of arrogance, majority Buddhists telling minority Muslims how to be good, obedient Muslims. With innocent locals reportedly wounded or murdered on average every six hours in the restive region for the last eight years, a serious political commitment to push for change must move beyond glossy lip service to a genuine desire to promote peaceful understanding and foster good will.
The new generation of village-based militant extremists, often referring to themselves as freedom fighters or “pejuang”, has been attempting to divide society along ethnic and religious fault lines by playing on hate, intimidation, loathing, resentment and wary mistrust between Buddhists and Muslims. According to Human Rights Watch, insecurity and safety fears, including attacks on teachers and torching of schools by separatist insurgents, have terrorised and intimidated the local populace and prevented children from enjoying their constitutionally guaranteed civil rights to quality education. During the past eight years, violent attacks have increased in frequency, resulting in 4,455 orphaned children and 2,295 widowed mothers.
Tainted by past scandalous crackdown abuses, draconian emergency decrees, extra-judicial killings and heavy-fisted human rights violations, feeble attempts have been made to institute progressive policy reforms in order to help make the predominantly small, rural community schools safer, while also offering increased protection for dedicated teachers who remain steadfast in their unwavering commitment to maximise individualised child-focused learning opportunities for each and every student entrusted to their compassionate, resolute guidance.
Local administrative bodies should be given increased autonomy and decision-making authority to determine what works best for their village populace. Curriculum reform that demonstrates respect for the Rumi language and dignity for Muslim traditions is long overdue, hopefully leading to a fair-minded, locally negotiated settlement rather than a Bangkok-centric imposed military solution.
Mindful, cool hearts offer gracious thanks, extend utmost admiration and provide moral support for the untiring efforts of the highly regarded professional educators, generous defence volunteers and hard-working security providers, aimed at enabling past-forward momentum progress toward meeting three R’s: respect for tolerant multiversity; recognition of ethical core family values; and reconciliation based on peaceful non-violent coexistence.
Pax vobiscum.
No Holds Bard
