Bangkok:Mr. Paradorn Prisnanantakul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, chaired a pivotal meeting with the Budget Bureau and the Ministry of Education to develop principles for the 2028 education budget allocation, focusing on equity and targeted funding approaches.
According to Thai News Agency, the meeting aimed to establish guidelines for allocating education budgets at the outset of the 2028 fiscal year budget preparation process. The Director of the Budget Bureau and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education were also present during these discussions.
Mr. Paradorn emphasized the importance of utilizing funds optimally to address educational inequalities. He clarified that equal budget allocation does not imply distributing the same amount to all schools but rather considering different costs and needs to ensure access to quality education for all children. Special attention was given to schools in remote, island, border, and mountainous regions facing higher educational costs and limitations.
Additionally, Mr. Paradorn directed a review of the per-student funding allocation formula to better reflect current circumstances. The decline in student enrollment has resulted in many schools being categorized as small and receiving reduced funding, despite ongoing basic educational costs. Thus, budget allocation approaches must better mirror the actual costs and needs of educational institutions.
The government acknowledges the unique challenges faced by small schools, particularly those in remote areas, serving as the sole educational opportunity for local children. Budget allocation must consider education quality, expenditure cost-effectiveness, and student access simultaneously.
Concluding the meeting, Mr. Paradorn stressed the need to look beyond student numbers for budget allocation, as educational costs have not decreased with declining enrollment. Collaborative efforts between the Budget Bureau and the Ministry of Education aim to establish practical guidelines for 2028, intending to enhance the quality of Thai education significantly.