The Office of Basic Education (Obec) is to transfer all six pupils at a small school in Samut Prakan's Phra Samut Chedi district to a bigger school nearby, because it does not have enough teachers to give them a decent education.
Chuchart Kaewnok, director of the Office Samut Prakan Primary Educational Service, said the students at Ban Khun Samut Chin school will today start at Ban Khun Samut Thai school in tambon Na Klua.
Mr Chuchart denied Ban Khun Samut Chin school was being closed, saying Obec thought it would be in the best interests of the children if they were transferred to another school.
He said his office has already asked for funds to pay for the children's travelling expenses. According to media reports, the parents wanted to send their children to other schools because they felt their children were not receiving a proper education. There are two teachers including the school director at Ban Khun Samut Chin.
The school reportedly taught pupils from nursery to primary education (Prathom) level, but student numbers have dropped sharply since 2017.
The number of pupils currently stands at six and are in various grades: One is in nursery; two are in Prathom 1, one is in Prathom 2, another is in Prathom 4, and the other is in Prathom 6. Surrounded by mangroves, the school is accessible by boat followed by a kilometre walk.
It is believed that several teachers sought transfers to other schools due to travel difficulties.
Mayuree Khonjen, the school director, said the teacher shortage was a serious problem and was adversely affecting education quality.
"With one teacher, we can't cover all pupils which will affect them when they further their education," she said.