Teacher Accused of Anti-CPP Bias Transferred

A Kompong Thom provincial high school teacher accused of encouraging his students to dislike CPP officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, has been transferred to another school, according to a provincial education department directive obtained Friday.

Sun Thun, who had taught mor-ality and civic education at Triel High School in Baray district’s Triel commune for two decades, was transferred to Hun Sen Kreoul-Andoung Por secondary school in Andoung Por commune on Jan 27, according to a copy of the directive signed by provincial education department director Sou Kimtry.

Sun Thun is also provincial president of the Cambodian Indepen-dent Teachers Association and a member of the opposition SRP.

“In case Sun Thun rejects his assignment to the new organization, the provincial education de-partment will suggest further disciplinary action from leaders in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to delete his name from the government’s employment,” ac-cording to the directive.

Sou Kimtry and Minister of Education Im Sothy could not be reached for comment Friday.

Sun Thun reiterated his innocence Friday, claiming that he only taught a textbook lesson on corruption and explained to students that corruption hinders development.

“It is just discouraging and abuses the rights of teachers and si-lences others who would advocate,” he said.

The principal of Triel High School, Uch Phally, had first complained to provincial education officials last month and asked them to fire Sun Thun because of the al-leged comments about the CPP and allegedly insulting his mother.

Uch Phally said Sunday by telephone that Sun Thun should re-spect the decision.

CITA President Rong Chhun said he has sent a letter to the Ministry of Education asking it to intervene in the case.

“We are demanding that the Ministry of Education keep him at his old workplace,” he said. “To issue the directive seeking the forcible removal of a teacher who is a senior leader for CITA in Kom-pong Thom province, is a new threat of attack on other teachers.”

     (Additional reporting by Chhorn Chansy)

 

Related Stories

Latest News