EDUCATION STOPPING ARSONISTS

Teachers and locals guard schools

SUMETH WANNAPRUEK

Khon Kaen _ Most children here can now sleep secure in the knowledge that they will have schools to go to in the morning. Schools in Khon Kaen's education zone 2 are now in safe hands, with teachers and local people keeping all-night vigils against the arsonists who have been striking throughout the Northeast provinces.

Education zone 2 director Thirasak Kaewyong hailed the operation as a triumph of cooperation between police, local administration organisations and community leaders.

The education zone has 241 schools in Ban Phai, Puai Noi, Chonnabot and Mancha Khiri districts, and in Ban Hat and Khok Phochai sub-districts.

''About 15 teachers and locals guard each school nightly from 6pm to 6am, with at least one police officer staying with them,'' Mr Thirasak said.

''A team of police and local officials also make nocturnal rounds to pay them morale-boosting visits.''

Each tambon administration body has also bought fire extinguishers for the schools, he said.

In addition, provincial electricity offices in each area have sent personnel to check electrical wiring in the schools.

Three vocational colleges in the education zone have been asked to repair school buildings made of wood and service electrical devices that have been in use for five years or longer.

Meanwhile, Mr Thirasak said the education zone also plans to improve literacy among students at Prathom 1, 2 and 3 levels. By the end of this year, the students are expected to be able to read and write.
A recent survey of 241 schools in education zone 2 found that more than 800 students, or about 20%, were illiterate, Mr Thirasak said. Some cannot read and write because of physical handicaps, he said. The education zone is seeking cooperation from local administration organisations to help overcome illiteracy

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