A total of 1,964 maths and science teachers under the Office of the Basic Education Commission due to be laid off in September have sought help from the Education Ministry.


Somkid Homnet, president of the People’s Sector Network against Corruption, said the teachers have been employed under a special project to improve the kingdom’s teaching standards in maths and science since 2018.


Recently, they were informed by the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) that it will end the project and cease its funding.


The teachers submitted a petition to Education Minister Treenuch Thienthong on Thursday seeking its help to prevent them from experiencing unemployment hardship.


Mr Homnet who joined the teachers in submitting the petition said the termination of the project will cause a teacher shortage in many schools and worsen the quality of education.


The petition includes the names of 1,964 teachers who will be laid off and three proposals asking Obec to reconsider their plan.


They have asked the commission to extend the project until September 2023 and delay the scheduled recruitment of new maths and science teachers given the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.


Ms Thienthong has reportedly taken the petition for consideration and will ask Obec to reconsider its decision.


Without a revision of the plan, the 1,964 teachers will lose their jobs in September.


Almost 2000 Teachers Due To Be Laid Off In September | Chiang Mai One