Officials have released an announcement mandating the closure of the Myinttar Yeink Bang Kung Learning Centre in Surat Thani province. (Photo: Supapong Chaolan)
The Education Ministry has stepped up its efforts, instructing local authorities to investigate the presence of potentially illegal Burmese language learning centres across their provinces. This initiative follows the discovery of six such centres in Surat Thani, all of which have now been ordered to close. The impetus for this action was a viral clip showing students at the Myinttar Yeink Bang Kung Learning Centre singing both the Thai and Myanmar national anthems during a school assembly.
This specific learning centre was found illegally operating on the grounds of the former Bang Kung Technological College in tambon Bang Kung, located in Surat Thani’s Muang district. Once the complaint reached the Education Ministry’s ears, Education Minister Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob and the ministry’s permanent secretary, Suthep Kaengsanthia, were swift in their orders, instructing provincial authorities to root out any other illicit institutions.
According to Surat Thani Deputy Governor Sukont Noopakdee, the centre had been running unlicensed for some time. Despite orders from the Surat Thani Provincial Education Office to shut down back in 2022, the centre continued to operate, currently hosting an impressive enrollment of 1,250 Myanmar students.
The provincial education office has called upon Muang Surat Thani Provincial Police to track down those behind this unauthorized operation. Furthermore, a specialized task force is to be formed to ensure the centre remains closed and prevent any attempts to resurrect its activities.
In addition to the Myinttar Yeink centre, five other Burmese language learning hubs in the province have been shut down. These include institutions in the Po Wai community, the Wat Som Wang Wanaram community, Muang district, Khiri Ratthanikhom district, Don Sak district, and Koh Phangan.
Authorities are also scrutinizing the work permits and residency statuses of the staff connected to these academies, ensuring no stone is left unturned in their comprehensive investigation.
However, not everyone supports the crackdown. Sompong Srakaew, director of the Labour Protection Network (LPN), has voiced his concerns. He contends that the Education Ministry’s decision to shutter these learning centres is short-sighted. Given the internal conflict devastating their homeland, migrant children from Myanmar deserve shelter and education, not intentional obstruction.
This is ridiculous! These kids are just trying to learn in a foreign land, and the authorities shut down their only hope for education?
It’s not about education; it’s about following the rules. They were operating illegally. We have laws for a reason and they need to be respected.
But does that justify leaving over a thousand kids without any formal education? Rules aside, there’s a moral perspective to consider here.
Then maybe the solution is to find a way to legalize these schools, not letting them operate illegally. A stopgap solution isn’t sustainable.
But think about the resources being drained on illegal activities like these. That could be better used on Thai students who also need support.
I’m tired of these foreigners coming into our country and setting up illegal operations. Good on the Ministry for taking action!
You do realize these kids didn’t choose to be here, right? They’re fleeing conflict. A little empathy wouldn’t hurt.
Empathy is fine, but not at the expense of our laws and systems. We have enough issues of our own to deal with.
Empathy indeed is needed. We can find a middle ground where we uphold our laws but still offer humanitarian aid.
I can’t believe they’re still targeting educational institutions like this. Education should be a right, not a privilege.
Agreed! Education is one of the most important tools we can give to the next generation. Denying it on technicalities is absurd.
But without legal frameworks, how do you ensure the quality of education being provided? It’s a complicated issue.
We should be focusing on establishing those frameworks rather than shutting places down. Closing these schools doesn’t solve anything.
How can anyone be okay with displacing these kids again? They’ve already lost so much.
It’s not about being okay with it. It’s about following proper procedures. If they want to stay and educate, they need to do it legally.
The ministry could have worked with these centers to bring them into compliance. Just shutting them down seems draconian.
Why weren’t these centers seeking compliance to begin with? They knew they were operating illegally.
Often, it’s about survival and practicality. When bureaucracy fails, people improvise to make things work for the most vulnerable.
Survival shouldn’t lead to illegal operations. We need systemic solutions that everyone abides by.
If they knew they had to comply and didn’t, they’re in the wrong. Simple as that.
Any move against children’s education is a move against humanity. We should be ashamed.
It’s easy to feel sorry for these kids, but we have laws for a reason. The Education Ministry is just doing its job.
What happens to these kids now? Where do they go?
They probably go back to lives of hardship. It’s heartbreaking.
There should be more diplomatic pressure on Myanmar to resolve its internal conflicts so these people don’t have to flee.
True, but until then, we have an obligation to help.
These learning centers were a light for those kids. Taking that away is darkening their future.
How hard is it to just get a license? If they went through the proper channels, this would not be happening.
You make it sound easy, but don’t you think they’ve tried and faced countless barriers?
It’s a mess. But you know what’s worse? Ignoring the issue and letting illegal schools proliferate.
We should be focusing on inclusive solutions. Shutting down isn’t one.
Why does everything have to be black and white? There’s room for negotiation and cooperation.