Thailand is investing in a school comeback – over 400000 students back in the classroom

Thailand is stepping up its fight against school dropouts through a new education program that offers flexible solutions for children and young people who cannot participate in regular education. During the first phase of the campaign, over 400000 students have returned to school – and the next phase is now being rolled out nationwide.

Behind the initiative is the Minister of Education, General Permpoon Chidchob, together with Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC). The goal: to create a more inclusive school where even children with jobs or family responsibilities have the opportunity to complete their education.

Zero Dropout – how the program works

The new options include homeschooling, online classes and special support measures for at-risk children. Schools across Thailand have been instructed to monitor student attendance more closely and quickly deploy support where needed – before students drop out of the system.

Around 400000 students have already been re-connected to school, and the next phase of the program focuses on early detection of absences and rapid contact with families.

New semester starts soon – schools need to be ready

The next school year in Thailand starts on May 16, and the authorities are demanding full preparedness from all schools in the country. Principals and teachers are urged to create safety for students returning after a long absence.

At the same time, new guidelines for school uniforms are being introduced, where each school is allowed to set its own rules – part of the government's ambition to reduce unnecessary requirements and expenses for students and families.

Goal: a school system without dropouts

Thailand's long-term goal is to completely eradicate school dropouts through more flexible learning, better student health, and increased attendance monitoring. The "Zero Dropout" program is seen as a key strategy to provide equal access to education for all children in the country - regardless of their life circumstances.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT)

Text: The editorial staff

Image license: DeltaWorks, Pixabay, original image