BANGKOK, Thailand – UNESCO Bangkok, the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) Thailand, and the Ministry of Education co-hosted the 4th International Conference on Equitable Education on October 23–24, 2026, at IMPACT Forum in Nonthaburi. The conference brought together education leaders, policymakers, development partners, and young people to discuss ways to address the challenges facing out-of-school children and youth.
Held under the theme “Designing Tomorrow’s Equity: Equitable Solutions for Out-of-School Children and Youth by 2030 and Beyond,” the conference explored practical approaches to expanding access to inclusive and equitable education across Asia and the Pacific.
Professor Dr. Prawit Erawan, Permanent Secretary for Education, highlighted the country’s efforts to tackle educational inequality through the Thailand Zero Dropout project, measures to reduce teachers’ workloads, and expanded vocational training and lifelong learning opportunities supported by a national credit bank system.
With an estimated 273 million children and young people worldwide still out of school, participants discussed four key priorities: expanding flexible learning pathways, strengthening data systems and early warning mechanisms to prevent school dropouts, promoting equitable and sustainable education financing, and fostering stronger cross-sector partnerships.
The conference was expected to attract around 150 participants in person and 3,000 online attendees. Its outcomes aim to inform regional recommendations to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. (NNT)
