A senior Catholic education official has called for responses to violent incidents in schools to be grounded in both accountability and compassion.
“The priority must be safety, justice, and addressing the root causes,” said Fr. Paolo Eakarat Hompatum, Secretary General of the Catholic Education Council of Thailand (CECT).
The priest made the call following a widely publicized assault on a teacher by a 17-year-old student in Uthai Thani province.
“Catholic values call us to recognize the dignity of every person, even in moments of conflict. We must promote forgiveness and reconciliation while ensuring individuals are held accountable. This includes immediate safety measures, restorative justice, and ongoing support for both student and teacher,” the priest said.
Fr. Hompatum’s remarks come as the CECT prepares for its three-day annual seminar next week, which will gather Catholic school administrators from across the country—including bishops, priests, religious, and lay leaders—under the theme, “The Jubilee, Catholic Schools Pilgrimage with Hope for Society.”
The assault occurred on August 5, when the student attacked a female mathematics teacher after disputing his midterm exam score.
Local reports said the boy approached the teacher to question why he received 18 out of 20 points despite having correct answers.
She explained that marks were deducted for failing to show his working process, as required, and suggested he consult other teachers on marking criteria.
The boy reportedly left the classroom twice before returning a third time, demanding an apology. When the teacher refused—asking instead who should be apologizing—he punched and kicked her repeatedly.
Classmates tried to intervene, but the teacher sustained a swollen head, bruising around her eye, and serious rib injuries. She later filed a police complaint.
The incident only became public on August 10, when CCTV footage shared by another teacher went viral on social media, triggering nationwide outrage and debate over educational values, discipline, and moral upbringing in Thailand.
The student’s parents apologized to the teacher, and the school suspended the boy before accepting his resignation. The teacher has declined interviews but confirmed she will pursue legal action to the fullest extent.
Education leaders have warned that the case reflects deeper systemic issues. Dr. Virachai Techavijit, chairman of Regent’s International Schools, said Thailand’s curriculum “focuses on personal achievement without instilling an understanding of global citizenship or empathy,” producing students who “may excel academically but lack respect for others, sometimes resorting to cheating or force to get what they want.”
He urged adoption of programs like the PSHE curriculum to develop “life skills, empathy, and responsibility.”
The case has prompted renewed calls for reforms in conflict resolution, moral education, and emotional development in Thai schools—areas that educators say are as crucial as academic performance in shaping the nation’s youth.
