Bangkok: The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has announced that there are over 300,000 vacancies available for students in Mathayom 1 and Mathayom 4, ensuring that all students will have a place to study.
According to Thai News Agency, Lt. Col. Thanu Wongchinda, Secretary-General of OBEC, reported that the selection process for students entering Mathayom 1 and Mathayom 4 was completed on April 10, 2025. Currently, more than 1 million students are enrolled in OBEC schools across various levels, including kindergarten, Primary 1, Secondary 1, and Secondary 4. Despite this, there remain over 300,000 available seats in Mathayom 1 and 4 for students who have yet to secure a place.
OBEC has confirmed that these vacancies are crucial for accommodating students who are still seeking admission. As of April 21, 2025, a total of 18,737 students have applied for these open positions. The results will be announced by April 27, and students can register accordingly. In Bangkok alone, schools are expected to have over 6,500 vacant seats after the announcement of results on April 23-24. Students have until April 22, 2025, to apply for these openings through OBEC Area Education Offices.
In line with the 'Good Study, Happy' policy, the Ministry of Education, led by Pol. Gen. Phermpoon Chidchob and other key officials, aims to address the issue of student dropouts and ensure all children have access to education. The OBEC Zero Dropout initiative encourages students aged 3-18 years who are out of the education system to return to school.
OBEC has also approved budget allocations to support basic education expenses, including teaching materials, textbooks, uniforms, and quality development activities. These measures are intended to ease financial burdens on parents. Furthermore, since the 2024 academic year, schools have had the option to relax dress codes to further reduce costs for families, facilitating a smooth start to the 2025 academic year and ensuring students can 'study well and be happy.'