Wai Khru Day - Chiang Mai

Wai Khru Day - The youngest pay respects to their teachers at Wachirawit Primary School, Chiang Mai ,Thailand.

This is Grades 1-6 in the English language class. The native English-speaking foreign teachers are placed by EFL Chiangmai, and most have earned their TEFL training certification from SEE TELF (Siam Educational Experience).

Background Information:
The wai khru (pronounced way-kru)ceremony is a Thai ritual in which students pay respects to their teachers in order to express their gratitude and formalize the student–teacher relationship.

It is regularly held near the beginning of the school year in most schools in Thailand. Wai khru has long been an important rite in the traditional martial and performing arts, as well as in astrology and other traditional arts; students and performers of Muay Thai and Krabi Krabong, as well as Thai dance and classical music, will usually perform a wai khru ritual at their initiation as well as before performances to pay respect and homage to both their teachers and the deities who patronize their arts.

The wai khru ceremonies which take place in most educational institutions in Thailand today generally follow the same form. The ceremony usually begins with a Buddhist prayer ritual in institutions where Buddhism is observed as the official religion, followed by the student's recitation of the wai khru chant, which expresses respect for and gratitude to the teachers, and asks for the teachers' blessing of their studies.

Following this, a select number of students, usually the representatives of each class, will present the teachers with offerings of flowers, candles and incense sticks.

This is usually followed by a speech by the head-teacher offering the students guidance in their academic career. Many institutions also present student awards and honours during the ceremony.

The traditional offerings for wai khru represent a symbolism of student qualities, namely:

* Ixora flowers - which while closed form pointed buds, symbolizing sharp wit.

* Cynodon dactylon(Bermuda grass) - the rapid growth and resilience of which symbolize perseverance and the ability to learn.

* Popped rice - which symbolizes discipline.

* Eggplant flowers - which bow low when nearing fruiting, symbolizing respect and humility.