Bangkok: The Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) has released a report detailing the state of Thai education in the first quarter of 2025. Titled 'Thai Education Management in a Changing World,' the report was presented at a seminar chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prawit Arawan, Secretary-General of the Education Council. It provides a comprehensive analysis across five dimensions of education management as outlined in the National Education Plan 2017-2036.
According to Thai News Agency, the first dimension, Quality of Education, reveals that Thai children's educational achievements remain low, as shown by O-NET and PISA test results. The issue of quality in reading skills is particularly highlighted. The second dimension, Educational Equality, shows disparities in education quality between small and large schools, despite equal opportunities. Dimension three, Access to Education, records a compulsory education enrollment rate of 90.30 percent for children aged 6-14, marking a strength in Thai education. The fourth dimension, Efficiency in Educational Management, points to a mismatch between high educational investment and the outcomes achieved, indicating management inefficiencies. Dimension five, Response to Change, underscores a misalignment between labor market demands for vocational skills and students' preference for general education.
The report also identifies areas requiring vigilance, including global conflicts, health issues from climate change, demographic shifts, and the need to shift learner development focus from skills to mindset.
To address these challenges, the report proposes three approaches: Narrowing the Gap by reallocating resources and implementing early warning systems; Connecting All Dimensions of Education through modern technology and accountability; and Breaking All Barriers to Learning by decentralizing education and enhancing non-formal learning opportunities.