Budget for Education Sector Given Final Approval
In the ongoing debate within the House of Representatives, concerns have been raised about the allocation and adequacy of the 2026 fiscal year education budget in Thailand. The main controversy revolves around doubts about the budget's impact on educational standards in the country.
Despite the budget bill for 2026, totalling 3.78 trillion baht, being approved by the House of Representatives with a close vote of 257:230, skepticism remains among Members of Parliament (MPs) regarding whether the education budget will be sufficient or effectively used to improve Thailand’s education system.
One of the key areas of contention is the One-District-One-School scheme. However, specific information about this program or controversies related to it in the 2026 budget could not be confirmed from the available data.
Surawat Thongbu, a list-MP from the main opposition People's Party (PP), questioned the decision to allocate more than 50% of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec)’s budget to support the One-District-One-School scheme. Mr. Surawat argued that the budget remains overly centralized in urban areas, with many schools nationwide being neglected.
The Ministry of Education was allocated 355 billion baht for the 2026 fiscal year, an increase of 14.33 billion baht from the current fiscal year. The allocation breakdown includes 61.47% for salary payments, 27.27% for subsidy programs, 3.87% for operations, 3.83% for investment schemes, and 3.56% for other expenses.
Mr. Surawat criticized the allocation of 1.85 billion baht for basic learning, with most funds going towards renting equipment and learning materials, and only 150 million baht for teachers. He stated that there are more than 30,000 schools nationwide, yet priority was given to only about 1,800 district schools, leaving the rest neglected.
Another PP list-MP, Parit Wacharasindhu, proposed cutting 375 million baht for constructing new provincial education offices, suggesting renting facilities instead. This proposal was made in light of the ongoing review of the structure and roles of provincial education offices under the education reform bills.
The debate in the House of Representatives focused on funds for Obec and projects to construct provincial education offices in 15 provinces. Mr. Surawat warned that if the budget was spent in this manner, Thai education would reach its lowest point in 20 years.
It's worth noting that the global Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) will be conducted this year, with students selected at random to participate. The 2022 Pisa assessment showed a decline in Thai 15-year-olds' scores in mathematics, science, and reading.
The second reading of the Ministry of Education's spending plan involved section-by-section scrutiny, with the plan falling under Section 24 of the bill. The House of Representatives approved the Ministry of Education's spending plan in the second reading during the 2026 fiscal year budget bill deliberation.
In conclusion, the 2026 fiscal year education budget in Thailand is surrounded by controversy due to concerns over the allocation and potential impact on educational standards. Specific issues include the One-District-One-School scheme, the allocation of funds to urban areas, and the prioritization of certain schools over others. Further investigation may be necessary to gain a more detailed understanding of these matters.
Policy-and-legislation surrounding the 2026 fiscal year education budget in Thailand remains a contentious topic within the House of Representatives, with politicians expressing concerns about its potential impact on educational standards. (Policy-and-legislation, politics)
Specific issues, such as the allocation of funds for the One-District-One-School scheme, the prioritization of certain schools, and the centralization of budget in urban areas, have sparked debates and propositions for reform, including suggestions to rent facilities instead of constructing new provincial education offices. (policy-and-legislation, general-news)
