Bangkok: The government of Thailand is ramping up efforts to implement the Thailand Zero Dropout policy, collaborating with governors across all provinces and local governments to reintegrate children into the education system with a target of reaching 1 million students by 2027. Mr. Karom Polpornklang, Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced the plan following a declaration by Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, who has prioritized this initiative to ensure children and youth excluded from the education system return to their educational pathways promptly.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry of Interior, serving as the national committee for addressing the dropout issue, has directed all provincial governors to establish committees dedicated to reducing the dropout rate to zero at the provincial level by February 2025. These committees are tasked with collaborating with provincial education offices and supporting local administrative organizations. The effort may involve utilizing existing committees or forming new ones to drive local-level initiatives. The primary goal is to ensure no child or youth is left out of the care of government agencies, aligning with the responsibilities of local administrations in providing both formal and informal education.
Mr. Karom emphasized the significance of accelerating efforts to resolve the dropout issue as a national agenda, urging local administrative organizations nationwide to be part of these initiatives. He noted that engaging local communities is crucial due to their proximity to the affected children, which will aid in identifying and tracking students who have dropped out. This community involvement is seen as a vital component in achieving the aim of reintegrating 1 million students into the education system by the fiscal year 2027.