Bangkok: OBEC has issued an urgent directive to manage the effects of ‘Storm Wipha,’ focusing on monitoring and ensuring the safety of students and teachers. The initiative also includes reducing teachers’ workload by 52 items within the week.
According to Thai News Agency, Lt. Col. Thanu Wongchinda, Secretary-General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), led the 27/2568 OBEC executive meeting. The meeting emphasized the implementation of Ministry of Education and OBEC policies, urging executives and personnel to expedite operations. The session included senior OBEC executives and various directors, held both in-person at the OBEC Meeting Room and via Zoom.
The Secretary-General highlighted the critical issue of managing the severe tropical storm ‘WIPHA,’ anticipated to impact Nan, Chiang Rai, and Uttaradit provinces this week. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Education, expressed concerns for student and teacher safety, emphasizing emergency preparedness. Measures discussed included relocating school properties to higher ground, trimming trees, and coordinating with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand for power cut-off in flooded areas. There is also a plan to coordinate with the provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office to provide food assistance if any individuals are trapped. Post-storm, damage assessments are planned to facilitate repairs and a return to normalcy.
Additionally, OBEC is focused on reducing teachers’ workload. Mr. Pattana Pattanathaveedol has been tasked with identifying 52 projects that will no longer require reporting to OBEC. This is part of a broader effort to reduce administrative tasks, allowing teachers to focus more on teaching. The ITA assessment indicators have been lowered, impacting only a select number of schools, with future reductions planned in collaboration with the NACC.
The Secretary-General reiterated the commitment to reducing teachers’ workload, reflecting a key policy of the Minister of Education. OBEC plans to continue identifying further projects for reduction, with an official announcement forthcoming to inform teachers nationwide.