Small schools to be merged rather than closed

“There are no small schools likely to be closed down this year as we will only shut those at which no new students enrol. However, we will merge some schools located close to each other, and allocate a budget to buy vans to transport students to their new schools. Any schools where, after merging, no new students enrol, will be closed down,” Chinnapat told reporters after a meeting of Obec’s executives.

Chinnapat said Obec had instructed 182 educational service area offices in every province except Bangkok to create their own development plans to improve the quality of small schools under their supervision and hand in the plans to Obec by May 24. He added that Obec would seek updated information about small schools before proceeding with the process of merging and closures.

Obec has urged each office to follow important steps before deciding whether to terminate a school’s operation. Offices should help schools improve educational quality and effectiveness of management, including making efforts to share their educational resources. Information and communication technology resources should be provided to students, while any plans to close down a school should be discussed with local residents to seek their agreement, said Chinnapat.

He also said that Obec Channel, an educational satellite television channel, should be used by those small schools that do not have enough teachers for every grade and subject.

He added that local administrative organisations and informal education centres should be permitted to use closed schools’ buildings and facilities.