Saint Gabriel’s chief bows to protests
Steps down in row over food, bad admin
The embattled director of Saint Gabriel’s College, an elite all-boys private school, stepped down yesterday, following protests by students accusing him of mismanagement.
School director Vinai Viriyavid-hayavongs announced the move to pave the way for a probe into the accusations. He made the decision after six hours of talks with protesters’ representatives yesterday.
The protesters — comprising students, parents and some alumni, demanded explanations over the appointment of an adviser and poor food provided to young students.
In a letter addressed to the St Gabriel Foundation, Mr Vinai said he wanted to “temporarily suspend” his role as St Gabriel’s College director.
His move was aimed at relieving the “unusual situation, or disorder in the school,” the letter read.
Mr Vinai said he was ready to undergo any scrutiny by a probe panel demanded by the protesters.
About 500 protesters gathered on the lawn outside the 98-year-old Catholic school to express their lack of confidence in Mr Vinai over the appointment of a senior adviser and a school nutritionist.
Students in school uniform were backed by parents and alumni who dressed in black. The adults held placards calling for an investigation into the director’s conduct and management decisions. Some called for his resignation.
They are upset with Mr Vinai’s appointment of a senior adviser they regard as “unqualified” and blamed the director for hiring a school nutritionist they say as being responsible for “poor quality” food being prepared for young students.
Mr Vinai is also accused of allowing his newly appointed adviser to interfere in school management, including budget expenditure, and causing widespread frustration among staff.
The academic performance of the school, usually one of the top performers, has dropped based on 2016 Onet test results, which saw its ranking slip from 10 to 59 in 2010.
Among the protesters was Adm Phajun Tampratheep, former subcommittee chairman on anti-graft mechanisms under the now-defunct National Reform Steering Assembly. He said he joined the protest out of concern for his grandchild.
He yesterday spoke to the crowd in support of the actions of the students.
“Our country needs to build this type of person,” he said, adding he admired the students for their courage in fighting against poor conduct.
“I want to give them moral support and tell them what they’re doing is right.”
The school is known for producing many well-known figures, including Gen Surayuth Chulnanont, a former prime minister and now member of the Privy Council, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon and former deputy Defence Minister Gen Udomdej Sitabutr.