CHIANG RAI, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow and Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat visited Chiang Rai Province to review education management and gather direct feedback from school administrators, teachers, education personnel, and students.
The visit focused on gathering practical perspectives instead of conducting ceremonial inspections, aiming to ensure effective collaboration between central and local administrations and to address real challenges in schools.
At Chiang Khong Wittayakom School, the Education Minister hosted a forum for students to discuss issues affecting their quality of life, such as nutrition standards, infrastructure and transportation safety, and mental health support. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to implementing these recommendations to support students’ physical and mental well-being.
Narumon noted that field visits revealed a critical shortage of school principals in several areas, with multiple vacancies resulting from overly restrictive qualification criteria. The Ministry of Education will consult the Teachers’ Civil Service Commission to revise selection requirements to better reflect current needs and prevent leadership gaps.
Regarding teacher career advancement, the Minister acknowledged concerns about the current performance assessment system and confirmed that new regulations will introduce three alternative advancement pathways: academic research, applied innovation and vocational practice, and nationally or internationally recognized awards.
To help teachers focus on classroom instruction, over 2,000 support staff positions have been restored in schools nationwide. The Ministry is also reviewing measures to improve career progression for education supervisors.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to reducing educational disparities through the “One District, One Quality School” policy and to advancing lifelong learning and vocational skills development. Initiatives will also support youth outside the formal education system and promote community-based economic opportunities in Chiang Rai. (NNT)
