• Published: 20/02/2012 at 07:23 PM
• Online news:BangkokPost

A well-known education activist on Monday lodged a petition with the Administrative Court against Education Minister Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech over the decision that allows state schools to accept donations in lieu of student admission.

Amnuai Sunthornchot, the chairman of the Values for Building Thailand Club, a civic group advocating education reform, asked the court to issue an injunction to prohibit all state schools from receiving donations in exchange for the enrolment of donors' children.

In his lawsuit, he said the policy is against ethical principles and violates Section 30 of the constitution which assures equality among Thai people and prohibits all acts of discrimination.

People will be discriminated against based on their economic status while juveniles are likely to be misled into thinking that money is more important than virtue and ability, Mr Amnuai said.

Mr Suchart has insisted legalising the acceptance of school admission tea money will help solve the problem of corruption in the admissions process at popular schools.

He reasoned that the money will not line individual pockets, but be transparently spent on improving the schools' educational standards.