PARENTS of a five-year-old boy appealed to Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women for assistance as he is now depressed, refusing to eat or sleep and fears going to school, after a teacher’s assistant removed his uniform and underwear, leaving only his socks, then made him stand in front of the classroom as punishment, Amarin TV said today (Sep. 4).
This resulted in him being ridiculed by his classmates, causing him severe stress. Meanwhile, the school has yet to take any decisive action against the teacher’s assistant, and the family fears a repeat of such behaviour with other students.
Ms. D (pseudonym), 30, mother of the five-year-old boy, said that on Aug. 27, after her son returned from school, his grandmother noticed his school uniform was inside out. Upon questioning, the boy recounted that he had been punished by a teacher’s assistant who made him undress and stand in front of the classroom for not finishing his colouring assignment. The child felt humiliated, cried, became withdrawn, and said the teacher was very cruel.
Initially, the grandmother did not inform the parents and continued to send the child to school as usual. Then, on Aug.29, her son told her himself that the teacher’s assistant had undressed him, leaving only the socks and made him stand in front of his classmates who ridiculed him. She was shocked and horrified.
Ms. D then inquired through the classroom’s group chat on Line, but received no response. Later, the teacher’s assistant called via a personal Line account and admitted to the act, claiming the child was disobedient and she did not want to punish him by hitting him and that the incident only occurred in the classroom.
Afterwards, the teacher’s assistant and the homeroom teacher contacted Ms. D, asking her to delete the messages from the group chat, but the family refused, intending to keep them as evidence.
They filed a police report at the Rat Burana police station on Aug. 30, before meeting with the school administration the next day. The deputy director stated that they could only issue a warning, not dismiss the teacher’s assistant, and offered to transfer the child to another classroom, which the family refused due to concern about the teacher’s assistant’s continued employment.
They then decided to seek help from the Paveena Foundation.
Ms. Paveena said she was saddened by the incident while emphasising that teachers of young children should use psychological approaches, especially with five-year-olds, employ gentle methods to foster love for their teachers, love of learning, and a desire to attend school.
The foundation will coordinate with Ms. Kesee Chantraprabhawat, adviser to Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, to set up a committee to investigate and hold the teacher’s assistant accountable.
The foundation is also following up on the case with Pol. Col. Watcharapol Suwananthawong, superintendent of Rat Burana police station.
In addition, the foundation is preparing to take the child for psychological assessment and treatment at Police Hospital. If the family wishes to transfer the child to another school, the foundation is ready to assist in finding a new school for him.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: Paveena Hongsakul discussing this case. Photos – Amarin TV
Also read:
Rewat sets up party of his own to combat graft in govt, drug dealers
Pheu Thai MPs tipped to abstain from voting for PM after censure debate
Rogue politicians involved in senatorial rigging, exam fraud plots mutually linked under same party
Election subcommittee called for Bhumjaithai Party dissolution over senatorial rigging conspiracy
Rangsiman moving to help lese majeste detainee on hunger strike
Restrictions imposed on US sailors’ visit to Pattaya
Govt exam fraud conspiracy far from over yet: Pukkamon
Thaksin, Thanathorn, Thammanat urged to set up new coalition govt without Newin’s camp
Gulf visitor arrivals save Thai tourism from low season disaster
Latest school shooting in Thailand may spur calls in Asia for more active safety drills
