15yrs of free education programme launched

By: BangkokPost.com

Published: 18/03/2009 at 04:33 PM

A programme of 15-years free education was put into action on Wednesday, with the government distributing 18 billion baht among more than 40,000 local schools throughout the country.

Education Minister Jurin Laksanavisit presided over transfer of a total of 18.257 billion baht to public and private schools nationwide in a ceremony at Bangkok's Sri Ayudhya school.

"The government and the Education Ministry are confident that our children and our youth will have better access to education through the launch of this programme," he said.

"It will help alleviate the financial burden carried by parents in millions of families, and at the same time it will help stimulate the economy.

The minister said the money would benefit students from kindergarten to high school, including vocational education inside and outside the formal education system.

About 11.8 million students would gain access to free education. The policy would cover fees for education, books, education tools, student uniforms and recreational activities, Mr Jurin said.

"Today is the first day of the free education programme. From today onwards, schools will invite parents and students to apply for money to spend on uniforms and school equipment," he said.

Schools would buy books for their students before the next semester begins in May.

The government supports 70% of tuition costs, and parents pay the rest.

About 60,000 students would not be eligible for the money, he said. The ministry would divert this money to assist disadvantaged students in remote areas.

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With reference to the above we enquired if we could obtain the discount on school fees and uniforms at our local school yesterday. We were told that our 5 year old daughter's school did not join this program [ private kindagarden].

Why is this? I though that almost all schools would offer a reduction in fees. We are currently paying 26,500 baht per term.

Why would the school not want to join when it would benefit both themseves and the parents? For example, a future family enquiring about fees would be told the above figure. A school down the road could ask for the same less 70% discount; which would you choose if they were of the same quality?

Are both schools private Kindergartens? I thought the program was only for Government schools.

The program is designed to help those in need, you cannot be needy if you send your kids to private schools. Private kindergartens cost money, and some are not schools but businesses.

But the 15 year free education program mentions "transfer of a total of 18.257 billion baht to public and private schools nationwide"

But the 15 year free education program mentions "transfer of a total of 18.257 billion baht to public and private schools nationwide"

thai nationals only or for all nationalities ?

My daughter is French nationality,but is studying in Thailand since 13 years.Is it for All students in Thailand or Thai stds only??

here are some information and figures on the 15 years of "free" education program.

http://www.moe.go.th/moe/th/freestudy/index.php?Key=main

with your expenses in a half year, the government can managed and provide "free" primary school education for nearly 20 pupils one year long.

for your decision which school/kindergarten to choose the PM advised not to aim for elite colleges.