PM urged to crack down school graft

BANGKOK, June 27 (TNA) – The Nation Associate Anti-Corruption Network (NACN) called for probes to be conducted on over 350 highly competitive schools after parents complained over famous schools, demanding bribes to secure places for their children. NACN secretary-general Mongkolkit Suksintharanon on Monday submitted a letter to the Prime Minister to expand investigation to cover 357 schools in the wake of the "tea money" scandal at Samsen Wittayalai School. He claimed that school graft is rampant such as receiving tea money or donations from parents in exchange for enrollment of their children. Some schools keep scores and alternate list of admission exams confidential to reserve the places for students, enrolling under special condition. Some state officials could misuse their power to pressure schools to enroll their children. In this regard, the NACN petitioned to the prime minister to take action against school graft, demanding schools to disclose names of benefactors, the amount of donation money and the school receipts. He said if any corruption is found, criminal and civil charges should be brought against those involved in the process and the students, enrolling under special conditions should be dismissed from the admission list. (TNA)