Thai Government Approves School Safety Measures, Allowing Student Transfers
Five Thai ministries collaborate on immediate school safety protocols and a 90-day national safety standard following recent incidents.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Prof. Dr. Yodsanan leads 5 ministries in school safety meeting
- Immediate plans include closing incident classrooms and transfer options
- National safety standards to be implemented within 90 days
- Debsirin Nonthaburi School announces temporary closure from Aug 10-14
On August 8 at the Ministry of Education in Thailand, Prof. Dr. Yodsanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, chaired an urgent meeting with key cabinet ministers to establish comprehensive safety measures for educational institutions. Attendees included Minister of Education Prasert Chantararuangthong, Minister of Labour Julapun Amornvivat, Minister of Social Development and Human Security Nikorn Somklang, and representatives from the Ministry of Public Health.
The meeting was convened in response to recent violent incidents, with the government emphasizing that all schools in Thailand must serve as safe environments. The committee officially approved an immediate action plan divided into six key areas:
- Establishing mental health support via the Department of Mental Health hotline 1323 and assigning local psychologists
- Deploying proactive mental health volunteer teams to affected schools, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education
- Temporarily closing the specific classroom where the incident occurred to protect psychological well-being
- Setting up designated observation areas for parents with mandatory registration protocols
- Allowing affected teachers and students the option to request school transfers
- Screening for illegal items and safety hazards across all schools to reassure parents
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
This inter-ministerial collaboration highlights a holistic approach to tackling psychological welfare and institutional security in Thailand. While school safety protocols are typically managed solely by the Ministry of Education, involving public health, labor, and social development agencies ensures a more comprehensive support system that bridges mental health care and protective social services.
Beyond immediate actions, the committee endorsed a framework for National Safety Standards to be established within 90 days. This framework includes regular mental health screenings for students and teachers, specialized referrals for high-risk individuals, 'Train to Trainer' programs for guidance counselors, the integration of incident reporting platforms like Traffy Fondue, comprehensive emergency drills, a zero-tolerance policy against bullying, strict entry screening, and enhanced relationships between teachers and students.
"As the Thai government, we will resolve this issue to the best of our ability to build confidence for everyone that such an incident will not happen again."
Prof. Dr. Yodsanan Wongsawat
Meanwhile, Education Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong expressed deep condolences and announced specific local actions, stating that Debsirin Nonthaburi School has suspended classes for one week from August 10 to 14, reopening officially on August 17. The ministry will consult schools nationwide to enforce stricter screening protocols for weapons and dangerous objects before issuing official mandates.
Source: Matichon Politics
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