Thai Schools Open for 2025 Academic Year, Emphasis on Quality Education and Student Safety

The Thai government's Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has opened schools for the 2025 academic year nationwide, with a focus on creating a conducive learning atmosphere that prioritizes student development. The OBEC has established five guidelines to achieve this goal, focusing on reducing unnecessary burdens on teachers, students, and parents. Additionally, the government has emphasized the importance of teacher accountability in handling student punishment, adhering to regulations that promote respectful and safe disciplinary measures.

Key Takeaways:

• The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has set five guidelines for schools to create a learning atmosphere conducive to student development, focusing on reducing unnecessary burdens on teachers, students, and parents.
• The guidelines include prioritizing student welfare, enhancing learning opportunities, networking and cooperation, budget management, and incident response planning.
• Educational institutions must adhere to the principle of 'Good learning, happy learning' and support the five practices to push for the creation of quality students.
• Teachers are not required to be on duty, but must adhere to ethical principles and comply with Ministry of Education regulations on student punishment.
• Educational institutions are required to set up guidelines that are appropriate for the context of each area, such as monitoring outsiders, prohibiting weapons and illegal items, and requiring polite dress.
• The OBEC has requested that teachers adhere to the Ministry of Education regulations on student punishment, including four measures: reprimand, probation, deduction of conduct points, and organizing activities to change.
• Student punishment regulations stipulate that measures should not cause embarrassment or violence, and that schools must prioritize protecting children's rights.

Statistics:

• 100% of educational institutions are required to visit students' homes to enhance learning opportunities and build immunity.
• 5 practices are emphasized to push for the creation of quality students, focusing on educational institution safety, securing learning opportunities, networking and cooperation, budget management, and incident response plans.
• 4 measures are stipulated for student punishment: reprimand, probation, deduction of conduct points, and organizing activities to change.

Sources:

• Thai News Agency, May 19, 2025
• Ministry of Education regulations on student punishment (2005 and 2019)
• Cabinet resolution on January 23, 2024, exempting teachers from having to be on duty.