Student groups have demanded the Education Ministry deal with teachers bullying students who express their political opinion while at school.

Led by Narubet Rakwijit, head of the Uncommon International Group, and Peeraphol Raweksom, head of the Associate of Students in Thailand, students on Monday went to the Education Ministry to submit a letter to Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan. The letter proposed measures to tackle intimidation by teachers who disagree with students' expressing views on politics at school.

Mr Narubet said his group has received numerous complaints from students who claim to have been treated unfairly by teachers after they came out to voice their political stance.

 

He said more than 100 schools had threatened to reduce test scores and cut scholarships of these students.

The group demanded that the ministry impose measures to ensure the safety of all students by Aug 27.

He asked the ministry to design a system within seven days to allow all groups, including students, teachers and parents to voice their political opinions.

The group also called for measures to punish teachers who hit students for expressing a political stance.

The ministry has said it will hold a forum to listen to the opinions of students nationwide on Sept 17 at the Royal City Hotel in Bangkok.