Bangkok Local Reference INFOrmation
The basics of the education system in Thailand for children in the school system in Bangkok. Information includes all the stages from creche to pre-primary, primary and secondary education and international schooling.
The three government agencies responsible for the development of the educational system in Thailand are the National Education Commission, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of University Affairs.
The Educational SystemSince 2001 Thailand's educational system is divided into three levels:
Level 1 is optional, but Thai children are required to complete levels P1 to M3. At the end of each year, students must take a test in order to move on to the next level. If the student cannot pass the test, they may have to repeat the last completed year or may be given an option of attending a summer school programme at the end of which the student will be retested. Students cannot continue to the next level until they pass the test. However, it is not common for students to be held back as, typically, the student can take the test again with the assistance of a teacher. This can be repeated until the student passes the required exam. After completing the final obligatory year, M3, students who wish to continue their education must take the Ordinary National Educational Test (O-NET). At the end of M6 they take the Advanced National Educational Test (A-NET) in order to graduate. Graduating from M6 is the equivalent to graduating after taking A levels, the International Baccalaureate or the Standardised Achievement Test (SAT) in the US. In order to attend a university after graduating from M6, students must pass the Central University Admission System (CUAS). This system is based on the scores of the O-NET and the A-NET as well as the Grade Point Average from M4. Types of SchoolPublic/government schoolsEducation is compulsory for all Thai children from ages six to fifteen. It is not compulsory for preschool children to attend school, however, there are facilities for children aged three to five to attend nursery and preschool. Government or public schools are free for Thai nationals. Children that have at least one Thai parent are considered Thai nationals if their birth was registered in Thailand by the Thai parent. As a Thai national, they are able to register in a Thai public school and receive all of the educational benefits allocated to a Thai national. The only documents required when registering are a birth certificate and House Registration Document (Tabien Baan). Parents are required to pay a nominal fee for books and necessities. They are also required to buy a school uniform. The following are the five areas in the government school curriculum:
Although there have been recent improvements in the teaching of the English language in Thai schools, many acknowledge that there is still much to be done to improve this. Many government schools run an English-language programme that may be available to foreign students, but there are fees for this. The programme varies from extra English language classes to a completely separate school within a school where 50 percent or more of the classes are carried out in English with native English speakers. These programmes are considerably cheaper than an international school, but class sizes will be bigger and the method of teaching may be more learning by rote.
Private and international schoolsThe facilities and quality of teaching in international schools are usually of a very high standard and the class sizes are small. The curriculum varies at an international school but often follows the American or British curriculum. However, there are schools that offer the International Baccalaureate. All schools have to be externally credited by law to ensure they follow set procedures and meet standards. Thai studies is a compulsory subject in international schools as in government schools. Normally, schools will require students to have a Non-immigrant ED visa in order to enrol. The parent must contact the school direct before attempting to obtain a Non-immigrant ED visa and if possible, prior to coming to Thailand. If the family is on a tourist visa, they will be required to leave the country in order to obtain the necessary visa (see Admission requirements below). Higher education institutionsThe different types of higher education institutes are:
Exchange study programme or university enrolment for foreign studentsParents wishing to enrol their children in an international exchange study programme or university in Thailand should contact:
The Grading SystemThailand uses a number grading system in primary and secondary schools.
Many English programmes and some individual teachers still use the A, B, C, D and F grading system with F being the failing grade. Grading at the university level is based on a credit points system. Each subject is graded individually and the points are tabulated. Finding a School & Enrolling a PupilThe first decision will be whether to send the child to a government school (if allowed) or a private, international school. Places in government schools are not allocated on a catchment area basis. Applications for all schools need to be made at the school itself. Admission requirements for foreign studentsIf a student has one Thai parent and their birth was registered in Thailand, that student is classified as a Thai national and is entitled to all the benefits of a Thai national. Some or all of the following documents are usually required for foreign students enrolling in international or government schools. Check with the school for individual requirements.
The following documents are required for foreign students enrolling in a higher education school:
An admission exam may also be required before a student is accepted into a program of study. Academic School Year & Public HolidaysGovernment school times do vary but the school day usually starts at 08:30 when the National Anthem is sung. It ends at around 15:30. International schools may have differing start and finish times depending on the school. Private international schools each have different dates for the school vacations. However, they are more likely to follow the Western timetable with a five-week holiday in July and August and two weeks for both Christmas and Easter. Contact the school for exact dates. All Thai state schools follow the same school year but there will be slight variations between individual schools and provinces. Contact the school for exact information. There are two main holidays in the state-school year:
For further information contact the Ministry of Education: Further Information
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