Chachoengsao principal accused of graft, mismanagement

Chachoengsao principal accused of graft, mismanagement

Parents and residents want the director of Ban Thangkham Noi School in Bang Khla district of Chachoengsao province to be expelled, accusing her of misuse of school donations and mismanagement. (Photo by Sonthanaporn Inchan)
Parents and residents want the director of Ban Thangkham Noi School in Bang Khla district of Chachoengsao province to be expelled, accusing her of misuse of school donations and mismanagement. (Photo by Sonthanaporn Inchan)

A group of angry Chachoengsao residents demanded a school director be expelled for alleged shady use of school donations and general mismanagement.

More than 50 residents in Bang Khla district's Hua Sai tambon converged on Ban Tha Khamnoi School around 9am Tuesday to demand the ouster of Supanan Saneha.

The protestors accused her of allegedly misusing the school's budget, speaking rudely to locals and teachers, and mismanaging the educational curriculum, resulting in illiteracy among students.

Nipa Kerdkaew, 59, one of the demonstrators, said the number of enrolled students had dropped from around 100 to 64 since Ms Supanan took over four years ago.

A placard placed in front of Ban Tha Khamnoi School in Bang Khla district of Chachoengsao demands the transfer of the principal. (Photo by Sonthanaporn Inchan)

The remaining students could neither read nor write, as the principal had failed to improve classroom learning, spending most of her time chatting on the Line messaging service while shifting blame to junior teachers, said Mrs Nipa.

The upset villagers also alleged misuse of donations made by locals for student lunches. They claimed that Ms Supanan failed to explain use of the donations to a school committee comprised of community representatives.

When the committee inquired about the matter, Ms Supanan sacked all the committee members and appointed a new panel made up of outsiders, the protesters alleged.

Worse still, the school director had allegedly used rude words and intimidated other fellow teachers, causing several teachers to move to other schools, claimed Sarinee Laotong, 54.

Now, only five teachers remain at the school, which has six classrooms for students and two for kindergarteners.

Mrs Sarinee said local residents from more than 280 households wanted the Zone 2 educational office to transfer Ms Supanan.

The embattled school director did meet with the protest group, said a source.

The demonstration prompted the Zone 2 educational office to send a senior official to hold talks with residents. The protesters dispersed after the official promised to investigate the principal.

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