MYEIK- Teachers detained from Ranong Thani School in Ranong Province, Thailand, have been released on the evening of August 26th but 13 schools still remain temporarily closed, according to sources.

The Thai Army, together with the police, raided the Ranong Thani School on August 24th and they arrested 32 teachers.

Thai authorities also closed 13 Myanmar Schools including Ranong Thani School. Students attending those schools suddenly find themselves cut off from their studies.

Some organizations which have to help the affairs of Myanmar migrants negotiated with the Thai authorities and then they got the success. So, 32 detained teachers were released and they returned back to Kawthaung Township.

“When the incumbent government placed an office in Thailand, there were many newly enacted laws. They’d informed relevant ministries to follow the rules and regulations. Moreover, they launched the surprise checks on employees and employers. They found that the teachers were working at jobs unrelated to them. Those teachers violated Section 27 of Management of Foreign Workers Employment. Some organizations informed the embassy and then they, together with the social organizations, FED and Maternal and Child Welfare Organizations negotiated with the Thai authorities for the release of 32 detained teachers. Later, 32 detained teachers were sent back to Kawthaung within 2 days. The 13 schools in Ranong Province remain temporarily closed. Only one Christian school remain officially opened,” said Moe Wai, second-in-charge of Myanmar Migrants Affairs Committee.

Thai authorities announced that they arrested the teachers who are working at the Myanmar schools in Ranong Province in accordance with the Management of Foreign Workers Employment Law.

“I think Thai teachers will be teaching temporarily at the schools because there are many children. They worried about the loss of students’ rights. At least, those school shutdowns must be officially joined with the private or foundation or tthe schools must be under the control of bilateral border committees. I would like to urge the respective departments and NGOs to support the study of the children. We can’t lose the child right,” said Moe Wai.

There are many Myanmar migrants living in Ranong Province, Thailand and over 3,000 students are studying at the 13 school shutdowns.

Thai authorities said that the detained teachers were arrested because they had no legal job permit.