Teacher and educator networks have spoken out against an order from the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) to cancel an oral test at Matthayom Wat Thatthong School over alleged national security concerns. They argue this violates academic freedom.

The networks released a statement to protect academic freedom concerning Wat Thatthong School’s oral test that was banned due to alleged national security concerns. The statement explained that the topics covered controversies in society, with the main objective of educating students to understand global affairs and encouraging them to ask questions.

The oral test in question covered 50 keywords on domestic and international current affairs, such as the royal defamation law (Section 112), political exile, the monarchy and Thai society, fast fashion, Ukraine vs Russia, and the climate crisis. Students would select a keyword themselves by lot.

The networks argue that the allegation against the test violates academic freedom, which is a key factor in ensuring meaningful learning can take place, and emphasise that power exercised by any outside party should not be able to restrict the rights of students and teachers. They believe that the integration of social issues into teaching is necessary for students to develop critical thinking skills. The networks also urge the state to protect teachers’ autonomy to teach and to ensure that the investigation process is free from unfair intervention.

Last week, the leader of the ultra-royalist King Protection Group, Songchai Niamhom, went to the school to file a complaint with the School Director about the test due to his concern about national security, since the test contains several political keywords. He also said he requested the school to set up a video camera to monitor students taking the oral test, pointing out that an oral test, unlike written tests, cannot be reviewed afterwards, which raises worries for him.

Later, the school revealed that it had already cancelled the test following an earlier order from OBEC. According to The Active, OBEC instructed the school to change the test format and remove some keywords.

After discussing with the teacher who created the test, Tanawat Suwannapan, one of the educators in the networks, said the test resulted from discussions in the classroom, as students today easily access information through social media platforms. The teacher intended to encourage students to do research on various topics and form evidence-based views. More important than their final answers is how they support their arguments and cite sources of information.

Tanawat stressed that schools should be safe spaces for debate, where students can freely express their understanding. While the test can be reviewed, he argued that filming the test to monitor students is unfair.

Tanawat reiterated that the test itself was problematic. He views the cancellation of the test as a strategy to relieve pressure from complainants and the authorities. However, he warned this would set a new standard for other schools.

He urged the state to uphold and foster academic freedom in society, otherwise an environment of fear among teachers would be created, blocking their ability to explore new teaching ideas and content.

“I am not saying that you do not have to listen to criticism, but we must have principles sufficient to stand up for people who are doing the work. What is wrong is wrong, but what must be protected, we must protect,” said Tanawat.