601 Schools Ask To Shut Down Nationwide

[Jai Dee]

601 schools ask to shut down due to decline in number of students

Six-hundred and one schools nationwide ask to shut down themselves because of a sharp decrease in the number of their students.

Rangsan Maneelek (รังสรรค์ มณีเล็ก), an expert of the Basic Education Commission, said better transport systems have enabled children to go to schools recognized for their high quality of education and educational equipment.

Mr. Rangsan said many schools, therefore, have seen fewer number of students come for their services. Thailand now has 32,000 schools and 601 of them are seeking a closure, he said.

Mr. Rangsan, however, said no school can be shut down if parents do not give their consent. If any school really has to be closed, the government will arrange school buses or pay for traveling of students who have to move to other institutions, he said.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 June 2006