Sa kaeo: Education Minister Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat has mandated the closure of schools across five Thai-Cambodian border provinces due to ongoing clashes, prioritizing the safety of children and teachers.
According to Thai News Agency, the clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border have been occurring since December 7, 2015, prompting security agencies to evacuate residents from high-risk areas, including educational institutions. The affected provinces are Surin, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, and Sa Kaeo, where the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has been instructed to coordinate with Educational Service Area Offices to temporarily suspend classes.
A total of 641 educational institutions have been ordered to close to ensure the safety of teachers, students, and educational personnel. Dr. Narumon emphasized that the Ministry of Education is monitoring the situation closely and preparing contingency plans for extended closures or a shift to online learning if necessary. Safety remains the top priority, and strict measures are being implemented to protect children, teachers, and the public. Once conditions improve, efforts will be made to resume normal teaching and learning activities swiftly.
In the breakdown of closures, Surin Province has 145 institutions closed, Sisaket Province 170, Ubon Ratchathani Province 54, Buriram Province 127, and Sa Kaeo Province 147. Each province’s closures are organized by their respective Primary and Secondary Educational Service Area Offices to manage the situation effectively.