KOH SAMUI, THAILAND — The International School of Samui, a prestigious British school catering to wealthy British pupils, kept pedophile Spanish teacher on staff for over a month after initial complaints of molestation surfaced and while a police investigation was ongoing.
The Spanish teacher, a twenty-nine-year-old Spanish national, was arrested in his classroom at the International School of Samui on the afternoon of Friday, 9 December. Today, the suspect is still being detained after bail was denied, according to authorities.
Following the arrest, the school informally told parents “the arrest was a sham- there is no evidence”, said one source. Until recently, the school declined to terminate the teacher’s employment.
A four-year-old student first voiced allegations against the teacher to parents on 4 November. In response, the school immediately suspended the four-year-old child and their sibling. The children remain suspended as of today, even after the teacher’s arrest and after several other similar allegations have come to light.
The parent of a seven-year-old student raised similar concerns to Mr Stephen Andrews, British national and CEO of the International School of Samui. In retaliation, Mr Stephen Andrews filed a criminal defamation suit against the family, said a parent at the school.
Parents have questioned why the International School of Samui has supported the teacher, and ignored the complaints of its young students and their parents.
Mr Stephen Andrews and Mr Jeremy Lees, Owner of the International School of Samui, have declined to comment. The International School of Samui has yet to release any formal statement to parents regarding the arrest or charges.
School resumed after winter holidays on Monday, 9 January.
