Bangkok: The Ministry of Education has initiated a thorough investigation into the rehiring practices of former teachers who failed their exams but were rehired following adjustments in salaries for temporary employees. This move comes after public outcry regarding the fairness of the selection process for new temporary positions.
According to Thai News Agency, the Minister of Education, Mr. Prasert Chantharawongthong, has directed the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) to investigate the issue and provide clarity to the public. The investigation was prompted by a contract teacher's appeal on social media after being excluded from a new temporary position despite working in a teacher shortage project for nearly seven years. The Minister has also called for a nationwide investigation to explore ways to support those affected.
Mr. Chantharawongthong explained that the controversy arose from a shift in the employment model from contract to temporary employment, which increased monthly compensation from 15,000 baht to 19,120 baht. The teacher in question was not selected during the recent recruitment, ranking 8th when only six applicants could be accepted, which led to criticism of the selection process's fairness.
The Minister has tasked OBEC with examining all aspects of the selection process, including the criteria and transparency, to ensure the procedures align with good governance and are open to public scrutiny. The Ministry aims to assure the public that the process was conducted fairly and transparently.
Mr. Tatiyaphat Pitisetthaphan, the Ministry's spokesperson, emphasized the need for OBEC to disclose the scoring components and criteria used during evaluations. The intention is to clarify how prior work experience influenced applicants' scores, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Addressing concerns of potential favoritism or discrimination due to the increased compensation for new positions, the Ministry has committed to a transparent and equitable process for all candidates. They also plan to gather data nationwide to identify other affected teachers, aiming to develop appropriate support and relief measures.