Parents say old city hall project threatens kindergarten space

A group of parents, whose children attend a kindergarten school in Nonthaburi, gathered today to call for a delay in the return of part of the school building to the Nonthaburi authorities, saying that the move would negatively affect students’ learning.

The Anuban Nonthaburi school has been using part of the old city hall, which is to undergo renovation for transformation into a historical site and provincial landmark. As a result, the school is required to hand the building back by 2026 to allow for the renovation.

The parents held placards in front of the school and submitted a letter to the school’s director.

They claim that, once the building is handed over, the school will be left with inadequate classroom space and that, if young children are forced to share classrooms with older primary students, or if support rooms, such as those for music, science and mathematics, are removed, the quality of education would decline.

School director Panida Usayapan acknowledged the problem, saying the return of the building will certainly lead to a shortage of classrooms, adding that the school cannot construct new buildings on the current grounds, as most of the land is protected as a historical site.

Nonthaburi old city hall

Her administration is currently requesting an extension to the handover deadline.

The school, established in 1958, currently offers education from kindergarten 1 through Grade 6. It has 52 classrooms and serves 1,749 students.

Ten classrooms used by kindergarten 2 and 3 students, located next to the old provincial hall, will be affected.