Educational inequality remains an urgent issue in Thailand. In 2023, as many as 1 million children between the ages of 3 and 18 were excluded from education, according to the Equitable Education Fund. The number of students achieving basic proficiency is also declining at an alarming rate. Many children are not able to develop to their full potential both academically and professionally, reports United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). While school dropout rates are high in rural and mountainous areas, the issue is also present in urban settings around Bangkok.

Northern Regions

In the northern regions, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Tak and Kanchanaburi, 169,047 children are not enrolled in the education system, with the majority of dropouts occurring at the primary level. This number makes up 16.5% of the nationwide school dropout rate, according to the Equitable Education Fund. Poverty and limited access to school continue to act as barriers, along with limited funding and a shortage of teaching staff. Many northern provinces are also among those with the highest poverty rates. In 2024, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) identified 10 provinces with the highest poverty rates, including Mae Hong Son at 25.69%, Chiang Rai at 13.69% and Tak at 13.37%.

Regions Surrounding Bangkok

In the regions surrounding Bangkok, children who are not in the education system are between the ages of 3 and 5. One reason for this is inadequate access to early childhood education. There are only 292 early childhood development centers in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, which is not enough to accommodate the high population density. An estimated 245,045 children are out of the education system, making up 23.9% of the nationwide school dropout rate, according to the Equitable Education Fund.

Impact of Education

Education continues to be an important factor in approaching social equality. Earnings increase by at least 10% when an individual finishes secondary school, reports UNICEF. Inequality continues to be overlooked, especially regarding past education reforms. Schools in rural regions continue to receive inadequate funding, while schools in more affluent areas receive resources to upgrade their spaces. The traditional education system has also failed to prepare children for the fast-changing economy. Many children leave school and are not given the opportunity to break the poverty cycle.

Zero Dropout Initiative

To address this issue, Thailand’s Zero Dropout Initiative was introduced in 2024 with the goal to “leave no child behind in the education system.” The initiative employs a multidimensional approach to ensure children stay in school and have a better chance at a successful academic journey.

The initiative introduced a concept called One School, Three Models, which offers an alternative to the traditional classroom model and provides a more flexible mode of education. Under this model, learning can take the form of a traditional formal education, a nonformal education or it can take place informally. In collaboration with other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), the Zero Dropout Initiative helps children by:

• Providing financial support in the form of scholarships or assistance and essential supplies to underprivileged children in impoverished areas.
• Making learning more accessible by offering online learning with self-paced curricula designed to meet the specific needs of children in different regions and socioeconomic settings.
• Providing emotional support to families, which can significantly help address intergenerational trauma often associated with living in poverty.
• Working with businesses nationally to provide work opportunities for children so they can gain experience and earn an income while studying. This early exposure to the work environment can significantly help children succeed later and eventually break the poverty cycle.

This flexible education model is designed to allow students to see the relevance and value of education within their unique life circumstances by considering the child’s interests and aspirations as well as their socioeconomic and geographical circumstances.

The centralized database introduced has proven helpful in tracking progress and ensuring no one falls behind. Local teams rely on this database to track and find children who have been excluded as well as those at risk of dropping out. The initiative was implemented two years ago, and since then, 20% to 30% of children who had left school have returned to education, according to the Bangkok Post.

Looking Ahead

By recognizing each child’s potential and focusing on improving the system to allow every child to shine, Thailand’s Zero Dropout Initiative offers a promising future where each child can learn and thrive in their own time and break away from the cycle of poverty.

– Marine Baume

Marine is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

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