Prayut extends free education from 12 to 15 years

NCPO guarantees free education for 15 years, whether or not draft charter passes Aug 7 referendum.

EDUCATION

Prayut extends free education from 12 to 15 years

15/06/2016
Online Reporters

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has invoked Section 44 of the interim constitution to extend free education from 12 to 15 years.

The order was announced in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday and took effect immediately.

State subsidies will be provided to all schools and management to cover expenses incurred by the implementation of 15 years of free basic education.

FREE EDUCATION FROM KINDERGARTEN TO MATHAYOM 6

Free education will begin from kindergarten level instead of Prathom 1 (Grade 1) and will end at Mathayom 6 (Grade 12), or its equivalent as Por Wor Chor 3 in vocational education.

The new 15-year state - subsidised education plan also covers so-called special education for persons with impairments or special needs as well as so-called welfare education for underprivileged children from poor families or who are orphans.

FEES, TEXTBOOKS & UNIFORMS INCLUDED

The Education Ministry and related government agencies responsible for providing education and ensuring the quality of the 15-year free system are required to present budget proposals to the government for its annual expenditure planning.

The funding of free education includes tuition fees, textbooks, educational equipment, uniforms, activities for developing learning skills, and other expenses approved by the cabinet.

REVERSING UNPOPULAR DRAFT CHARTER CHANGES

Under the draft charter, the CDC proposes the government provide a 12-year free education programme.

The 12-years of free education was changed so that it started with three years of pre-school, instead of Prathom 1 or the first level of primary school as it does now.

The change drew a mixed response.

Some argued an earlier start to free education would better suit the county's socio-economic context.

Critics suggested it could trigger an increase in drop-outs as some students could be left without financial help at the end of their education (Mathayom 4-6).

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said even though the draft charter stipulates 12 years of free education, the government can extend it to 15 years.

He also said whether or not the draft charter passes the Aug 7 referendum, the NCPO order is a guarantee the public will get state-subsidised education for 15 years.

Mr Wissanu said the NCPO and the government back the extension and the law change would ensure it stays in place.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1011277/ncpo-backs-15-year-free-education

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1010961/prayut-extends-free-education-from-12-to-15-years

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