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Published on August 3, 2007

Nudeeya Binloh, Nachila Yosoh and Dalima Yosoh had nowhere to go after the closure of Islam Burapha school a month ago. They remained in their dormitories, hoping the school would reopen soon.

The authorities in the deep South shut down the school after a raid on July 2 netted seven suspects, including a 16-year-old male student, who might have been involved in violence in the predominantly Muslim region.

"Yes, I am scared as my neighbours keep saying the military might arrest students, but I have nothing to do at home and really want to continue my education," said Nudeeya.

Of the 790 students in both secular and religious classes, only 43 decided to continue their education in other schools nearby as recommended by the provincial authorities.

Narathiwat Governor Karan Supakitwilekhakan, who ordered the school closure, urged the students to transfer to one of the other 49 schools in the province.

But the students have their reasons for not going.

"Some of my friends have already quit as they cannot tolerate comments made by people that we are students of a bandit school," said Nachila.

Kamadiya Jeh, 42, a mother of two students from Chanae district, said she wanted her children to remain at the Islam Burapha School, despite its closure. "I was shocked when I heard news of the raid. I don't believe the school was a breeding ground for militants," she said.

Kamadiya said the school was fit for her children as they came from a poor family. "It is an Islamic boarding school which provides cheap dormitories for students and requires no tuition fee. I want my children to live in the school all the time, as they can receive religious tuttelage in the evenings," she added.

The school received a subsidy of Bt7,000-Bt8,000 per head per annum from the government, which was enough only to cover operational costs, said school manager Sohma Hama.

Despite the low budget, the school performed well last year as 20 out of 65 graduating students were able to get places in universities, he said.

"It's a great achievement, since only one student from our school passed university exams four years ago," Sohma said.

However, the chances of the school reopening appear slim. Subaidah Doloh, the school's principal, said there had been no response from the authorities after her appeal to resume classes.  The Education Ministry received her letter of appeal weeks ago, but asked her first to convince the provincial governor that the school should be reopened. She has failed in several attempts to see him.

Supalak G Khundee

The Nation

NARATHIWAT