Samakkhi Witthayakhom School - History

History

The origin of Samakkhi Witthayakhom School could be reckoned from the initiation of "Samakkhi Witthayakhom Chiang Rai’s Provincial School" (Thai: โรงเรียนประจำจังหวัดเชียงรายสามัคคีวิทยาคม) in 1908 by Chiang Rai (CR) Governor Phraya Si Suriyaratchawaranuwat (Suk Ditsayabut) (Thai: ศรีสุริยราชวรานุวัตร (ศุข ดิษยบุตร)) by and with the advice and consensus of all the local public servants. The name of which was later minified to "Samakkhi Witthayakhom", meaning the "Academic Institute Established by the Unanimous Unity". At that time, the school affairs took place at the foothills of Wat Ngam Mueang (Thai: วัดงำเมือง), and only Grade 4 to Grade 6 was provided; however, it was extended to Grade 9 in 1917.

In 1924, owing to the limitation of the location, CR Governor Phraya Ratchadetdamrong (Phon Sarutanon) (Thai: พระยาราชเดชดำรง (ผล ศรุตานนท์)) ordered the classes of SWK be dichotomised to Grade 4–6 and Grade 7–9. The aforesaid was ordered to move to use Wat Ming Mueang (Thai: วัดมิ่งเมือง) as an interim place of education, the latter, to Wat Chet Yot (th: วัดเจ็ดยอด). The Governor also gathered the public contributions and donations for uses in establishing the new permanent office of the school. During which the school was compelled to use many places as interim office, including inter alia: CR Provincial Military Headquarters was dissolved at the end of 1925.

In 1927, CR educational officer Luang Kittiwat (Thai: หลวงกิตติวาท) granted Government budget to the School to cover the permanent office establishment costs; and Grade 4–7 was pulled out of the school to become a new school entitled "Damrong Rat Songkhro School" (Thai: โรงเรียนดำรงราษฎร์สงเคราะห์); however SWK prolongated its education to Grade 12, being Grades 6–12.

Owing to the delay of establishment, SWK acting Director Khuang Sukhontharot (Thai: ข่วง สุคนธรส) and CR educational officer Boonsing Boonkham (Thai: บุญสิงห์ บุญค้ำ) decided to disburse three hundred and fifty Baht to purchase the six-rai estates at Wat San Pa Daeng (Thai: วัดสันป่าแดง) from the American Missionary headed by Ray W. Battelle, and further adjacent estates enumerating about one plaeng (Thai measurement unit). Great amounts of estates and money were also donated to the school by the government, public servants and aristocrats, including inter alia: renowned physician and former Minister of Public Health Sem Phringphuangkaeo (Thai: เสม พริ้งพรวงแก้ว) and six hundred million Baht from the Council of Ministers.

A panel was set up by CR Administration to supervise the establishment, with Boonsing Boonkham as chair. The panel signed a contract hiring the bid-winning company of a Chinese Huiyuan Hangtrakun (Thai: ฮุยหยวน ฮังตระกูล) to carry out the establishment. On 2 March 1937, the ceremony was held to lay the cornerstone to the heart of the estates where the permanent office. And on 11 February of the following year CR Governor Phra Phanom Nakharanurak (Hokkai Phisanlabut) (Thai: พระพนมนครานุรักษ์ (ฮกไก่ พิศาลบุตร)) presided over the inauguration of the chief building.

Upon completion of the establishment, the Council of SWK Government Teachers resolved in 1940 to use the school flag and anthem (see "Symbols" below). The abbreviation "SWK" and the motto Balaṃ saṅghassa sāmaggī (unity institutes the power)" were also officially invented and declared. Following that, many buildings and places have been installed within the school so as to serve the public needs.

For decades the school has provided the public education prescribed in the law on national education and served various public wills. As an outgrowth of such performances, the school has been awarded many times, those have been conferred to the school are included inter alia: 1990 Royal Best Secondary School Award, granted by Bhumibol Adulyadej's daughter Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at Dusitalaya Hall, Chitralada Palace, Bangkok, 20 May 1991, for extensively pursuing the public advancement; the "Best Classroom Advancement School" Reward granted by CR Educational Office in 1996; the "Best School for Educational Reform" Reward from CR Governor in 2001; the "Best Curricular Arrangement School" Award from the Government in 2002; the "Best Buddhist Development and Support School" Award from the Office of National Buddhism in 2004; the "Example School for Democratic Development" Award from Privy Councillor Prof Kasem Watthanachai in 2005.

In 1993 female students were accepted to SWK for the first time after the sixty years of accepting only male students, and the Regional Scientific and Technological Education Centre was declared open at the school. The Regional Arts Centre was also opened in 2002, followed by opening of the "English Programme" for Grade 7–9 students in the same year, as well as Thailand’s Self English Access Centre under patronage of the World Bank, the "Buddhist School" Project and the "Technological School" Project in the next year, respectively.

Mindful on the rapid student increment and public need of education, the Government announced, in 1994, open a branch of SWK, entitled "Samakkhi Witthayakhom School 2".

The School celebrated its centennial in 2007. The manifold cerebration, ceremonies and activities were held under the name "Uniting Hearts, Uniting Wills, the Centenary of Samakkhi Witthayakhom School 2008" (Thai: ร้อยใจ ร้อยไมตรี ๑๐๐ ปี สามัคคีวิทยาคม พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๑, RTGS: Roi chai roi maitri nueng roi pi samakkhi witthayakhom phoso song phan ha roi ha sip et). The highlight of which included the opening of the Centenary Building—established in May 2007, given the name "King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Commemorative Building" by Bhumibol Adulyadej—presided over by Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Containing intention to prepare the efficacious scientists for the future Thai society, the School in 2008 set a new class for forty students selected from scientific classes of Grade 10 through extra examination. At 15.00–16.00 hours every Tuesday and Friday, these students meet in a special laboratory to receive an intensive training in mathematics, physical science, chemistry, biology and computers.