The most important event to be held at school is the annual Wai Kru Ceremony. Like other schools around the country this always takes place towards the start of the new academic year and always on a Thursday. The students pay respect to their teachers by presenting them with flowers and going down onto the floor to do a krab which is the most respectful way to show respect. The students hope to gain merit and good fortune for the coming year.
I have tried to explain this ceremony to some teacher friends from America and they found it difficult to comprehend. They said that no way would American students prostrate at the feet of their teachers. But, that is exactly what happens here. The students are making merit in order to gain good fortune over the coming academic year. When we receive the flowers we are not supposed to say “thank you” though I am often tempted to do so. We should take this opportunity to give them some good advice for their future and also to wish them good luck and say that we hope they will get good grades.
These are pictures that I took at Sriwittayapaknam School this morning. Other schools will hold their own Wai Khru Ceremony this month.
