BANGKOK, Thailand – The government has announced an expansion of its education policy for out-of-school children, upgrading the Thailand Zero Dropout program to “TZD Plus” to expand access to flexible, inclusive learning at the local level. Government Spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the move aims to better support children and youth who cannot remain in conventional education due to changing circumstances.
Official figures show a steady decline in the number of children and youth outside the education system, falling from 1.02 million in 2023 to 980,000 in 2024, and to 603,095 as of November 10, 2025.
Siripong said the decline represents a shift toward flexible education management rather than reliance on traditional classroom reintegration alone. Under the TZD Plus framework, learning models have been adapted to accommodate diverse needs and individual learning conditions.
Key programs, including the “One School, Three Models” scheme, are being carried out in every district across Bangkok and all 76 provinces, providing flexible options for learning formats, locations, schedules, and assessment methods.
The expanded policy now covers children and youth aged 3 to 18 who are temporarily displaced from education due to crises such as natural disasters or conflict. Authorities said relevant agencies are working to improve coordination with local administrations to track cases, provide assistance, and expand flexible education options to reach the remaining out-of-school population. (NNT)
