Bangkok: A recent survey conducted by the NIDA Poll in collaboration with the Thailand Education Partnership (TEP) has revealed significant public confidence in the Thai education system's potential to build a better future and develop critical thinking skills in children.
According to Thai News Agency, the survey titled "Hope for the New School Year 2026: Reflections on the Minister of Education's Mission to Address Inequality" was conducted between April 30 and May 5, 2026. It included 1,310 respondents aged 18 and over from various regions, educational levels, occupations, and income brackets across Thailand. The survey employed probability sampling from NIDA Poll's Master Sample database and used multi-stage sampling and telephone interviews, boasting a margin of error of 0.05 at a 97.0% confidence level.
The survey's findings show that 41.45% of respondents are "somewhat confident" in the current education system's ability to create a good and secure future for their children. In contrast, 29.77% expressed being "not very confident," and 11.53% stated they had no confidence at all. Regarding the development of critical thinking and work skills in Thai children, 46.41% rated the current state of schools and teaching methods as "quite good," while 33.89% found them "not very good."
Addressing pressing issues in education, 35.04% of respondents identified inequality in school quality as an urgent concern for the government. Meanwhile, 24.50% noted that children struggle to apply their studies to real life, and 23.59% were concerned about safety and mental health issues in schools. Additionally, the public expressed a strong desire for genuine free education, with 35.42% urging the Minister of Education to eliminate hidden costs within a year.
The poll also revealed that 28.78% of respondents believe that promising improvements in Thai education would be evidenced by graduates securing jobs related to their fields and earning appropriate salaries. Furthermore, the survey provided insights into demographic characteristics, indicating a diverse sample in terms of region, gender, age, religion, marital status, education level, occupation, and income.
Overall, the survey underscores a complex mix of confidence and concerns among the Thai public regarding the education system, highlighting areas for potential policy focus and reform.