Thailand to spend 1.5 billion USD improving rural education quality

Students at a Thai school (Source: Bangkok Post)

Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai cabinet recently approved a budget of 50 billion THB (1.5 billion USD) to improve the quality of 8,000 outstanding primary and secondary schools in remote areas nationwide from 2020 to 2022.

According to Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan, the majority of the budget will be used to improve the foreign language skills of students in these schools, which usually trail their peers in well-known and larger schools.

Under the plan, one school in each tambon will be selected as an outstanding school and will be given funding to improve their teaching quality.

To improve students’ foreign language skills, the ministry is planning to hire a large number of native English teachers and other native speakers of widely-used languages such as Chinese.

There are currently 7,000 foreign teachers in Thai schools, but this is not enough, adding that another 10,000 foreign teachers are required.

Aside from improving the foreign language skills of students, the budget will also be used to improve their digital skills and the school environment, facilities and management./.