A group of boys who bullied a disabled classmate at school have apologised to him and to his parents after a clip of the incident went public and set off a social media storm against them.
The boy, 15, is a Mathayom 3 student in Prachin Buri province. In the clip, the boy, in a boy scout uniform, is seen in the computer room at school on Thursday when boys in regular school uniform kicked chairs in his direction. One boy kicked him in the head.
The autistic boy fought back against one boy but the others joined the fight and ganged up on him.
People on social media condemned the boys for picking on a classmate with a disability. They also criticised the school for allowing such behaviour and failing to teach able-bodied students that they cannot pick on those weaker or different from them.
Three of the students, escorted by local educational officials and the school director, went to the victim’s house in Muang district to apologise. The three gave the special needs boy a hug and also apologised to his parents.
Monthon Wattanasaringkarn and Rattanaporn Srisaruay, deputy directors of Prachin Buri Education District Office 1, and Lumpu Petchruangsa, director of the army subsidised school, as well as army representatives, accompanied the students.
Ms Lumpu told Mr Vichai and Mrs Kampai, the boys’ parents, the school now would strictly supervise its students to make sure such incidents do not occur again.
Mrs Kampai replied the episode should be a lesson for the students, who must show sympathy for people weaker than themselves. “What I want is the assurance my son will not be picked on again,” Mrs Kampai said.
She said things must now proceed through the judicial process as she has filed a complaint with police.
The mother earlier alleged the school principal told her son to tell people the incident was just child’s play. She said this was not acceptable because it was tantamount to protecting those who have done wrong.
She revealed her son also suffers from a leaky valve in his heart and must see a doctor regularly for treatment. Fighting with other boys could endanger his life.
“If my son died from shock, who would take responsibility,” Mrs Kampai said.
The attack drew fierce comments on social media. 40degrees said on Sanook.com: “Has the principal ever been trained about looking after kids with special needs? She shouldn’t have said that. She is just trying to direct poop away from herself. She should resign because her salary is wasted on her.”
Ek chipped in: “The teachers came out and protected these boys saying the victim was aggressive. That makes my blood boil.”
40 degrees said on Sanook.com