Schools hang kids out to dry

Going outside to raise the national flag during a thunderstorm is unusual, if not dangerous. But it happened at a school in the southern province of Chumphon.

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According to media reports, a school director refused to abandon that day's morning class ceremony, disregarding harsh weather and fears of lightning strikes, despite warnings from her subordinates. Therefore, two students performed the ceremony, while another student held an umbrella for them. All were soaked with rain and terrified.

Fortunately, there were no tragedies. However, parents of students at risk vented their anger, demanding that the Education Ministry punish the director by moving her to another area. The director later apologised for her thoughtless act, saying she forgot to think about the students’ safety as she wanted all to “look perfect”. It was the first day of the new school term.

Discipline is, indeed, necessary, but students’ health and safety must not be compromised. Yet, it turns out that several teachers, driven mostly by school authoritarianism, often do the opposite, as happened in this case.