Assumption to reopen Monday

Assumption to reopen Monday

Assumption College classes will resume on Monday as the Education Ministry attempts to defuse a spat between the school director and disgruntled teachers and alumni.

Education Minister Phongthep Thepkanchana said on Saturday that the St Gabriel's Foundation, which operates the school, had informed him it would open on Monday instead of Feb 1 as originally planned.

Director Anan Preechawutthi decided on Friday to close the school until Feb 1 to avoid a protest by a group of teachers and alumni who were demanding his resignation.

Critics claim Mr Anan's mismanagement had led to a slump in the school's reputation, and a salary increase pledged to the tutors did not materialise.

The ministry forced the Catholic school in Bang Rak district of Bangkok to reopen immediately after the rally in order not to disrupt the lives of its students.

But the school's website has not removed the statement posted by Mr Anan about a one-week closure.

Chanwit Tubsuphan, secretary-general of the Private Education Commission, will hold talks with the director, teachers and parents to find a quick solution to the problem at the school on Monday, the minister said.

The school's decision to merge the primary section in a nearby area with the main campus sparked a rally as teachers feared some of them might be laid off. Their fears set off a chain reaction leading to the rally in a bid to force the director to step down.

The St Gabriel's Foundation calmed their concerns, saying no teachers would be affected by the relocation, which the school has been considering for 20 years.

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