7 foreign teachers found working illegally at Sarasas school

The Sarasas private school network continues to find itself in hot water, with revelations that 7 foreign teachers at one school have been working illegally. All 7 have been found to be employed without work permits at Sarasas Witaed Sainoi Pitiyakarn School, in the central province of Nonthaburi, around half an hour outside central Bangkok. All 42 Sarasas schools are currently in the spotlight after allegations of abuse surfaced in recent weeks.

Officials from the local Immigration Bureau, accompanied by police and other administrative officials, have inspected 2 Nonthaburi schools employing foreign teachers. While the first school, Sarasas Witaed Bangbuathong, has all the required paperwork for its 66 foreign teachers, an inspection at Sarasas Witaed Sainoi Pitiyakarn revealed 7 foreigners working as language teachers, without work permits or any evidence of teaching qualifications.

Thai Residents reports that the 7 admit to being employed at the school since July of this year, receiving a cash salary of around 17,000 baht. All 7 are now in police custody.

The Education Ministry has called on the Office of the Private Education Commission to investigate all Sarasas schools amid allegations of abuse against students, much of which has been captured on CCTV. The investigation has subsequently thrown up other issues such as foreign teachers being employed without the correct paperwork, the hiring of teachers who have no qualifications, and some schools exceeding the quota of students permitted in English classes.

SOURCE: Thai Residents