Bangkok Launches 'Thailand Zero Dropout' Initiative to Ensure Every Child Receives Education
(March 10, 2025)—The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is intensifying its efforts to combat school dropouts through the 'Thailand Zero Dropout' initiative, aiming to ensure that no child is left behind in the education system.
Deputy Governor Sanon Wangsrangboon chaired the inaugural meeting of the Bangkok Steering Committee for Solving the Problem of Out-of-School Children and Youth to Zero (Thailand Zero Dropout) on 10th March 2025. The meeting, held at Bangkok City Hall, was attended by Wirat Manassanitwong, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the BMA, executives from the Education Department, and other relevant agencies.
Mr. Sanon emphasised the importance of collaborative problem-solving, urging all agencies to share on-the-ground challenges to formulate effective solutions.
He called for the rapid and streamlined establishment of a monitoring and support system for out-of-school children and youth, advocating for a simplified structure to ensure efficient and continuous operations.
He stressed the need for rigorous monitoring to prevent children and youth from leaving the education system.
The 'Thailand Zero Dropout' initiative, aimed at eliminating out-of-school children and youth, has the following key objectives:
- Identification: Employing integrated data from various agencies to locate children and youth outside the education system.
- Support: Coordinating with relevant agencies to provide tailored assistance in education, health, and social welfare.
- Flexible Education: Offering quality, adaptable learning programmes that cater to each child's potential.
- Private Sector Engagement: Encouraging businesses to participate in education through 'LEARN TO EARN' programmes, providing skills development and income generation for 15-18 year olds.
The initiative seeks to create systemic change, ensuring that no child or youth is 'lost' from government oversight. This aligns with the government's 'Thailand Zero Dropout: Every Child Must Learn' policy, which aims to achieve a zero-dropout rate.
An information system supporting area-based education mechanisms to assist children and youth without educational records is available at: https://thaizerodropout.eef.or.th/
