11.Education, Religion and Cultural Policy
11.1 Education
In lieu of the 1997 Constitution and the 1999 Education Act, the Government is determined to launch educational reforms with the aim of developing Thailand into a knowledge-based society, which is a pre-requisite for becoming a knowledge-based economy. The reforms will provide the Thai public with equal access to life-long education and training, enabling them to acquire knowledge and capital to generate income and to eventually pull the country out of the economic and social crisis. Towards this end, the Government will abide by the principle that "Education Builds the Nation, Empowers the Individual and Generates Employment" as follows:
(1) Accelerate efforts to establish an educational system and network that is of high quality and truly beneficial to the general public.
(2) Emphasize quality, efficiency and justice in the management of public education of all categories and at all levels.
(3) Develop an education technology system and information network to increase and disperse the opportunities for education for all Thais in both urban and rural areas.
(4) Establish community colleges, particularly in provinces where institutions of higher education are still needed.
(5) Promote and encourage all sides to assume collective responsibilities in managing education and training. The Government will assume the responsibility of establishing the system and policies, providing quality controls, mobilizing resources, and ensuring the preparedness of local government organizations, the private sector, and family networks. The Government is also committed to providing public education to the disabled, the handicapped and the under-privileged.
(6) Promote the role of Thailand as an educational hub for the neighbouring countries.
(7) Promote the integration of education, religion, culture and sports into the educational and training curriculum offered to children and youth.
(8) Reform the learning process through the "learner-centered approach", self-education and life-long education by emphasizing the power of creativity, encouraging a love for reading, and providing sufficient community-based libraries, learning centers and educational mediums for public use.
(9) Ensure that "teaching" becomes a dignified, highly respected and trusted profession. Develop high-quality teachers and educators who live up to basic ethical requirements.
(10) Improve the educational curriculum to ensure that children and youth are disciplined, hard working and competent.
(11) Provide the opportunity for those who have completed compulsory education (grade 9) and basic education (grade 12), together with the unemployed and the elderly, to be able to undergo vocational training in at least one profession, supporting them to become self-employed.
(12) Reform and improve the quality of vocational training, upgrading the curriculum of vocational schools so that they can confer bachelor's degrees. Such reforms are undertaken in light of the increasing demand for vocational training in the agricultural, industrial and service sectors. Vocational education should also encourage on-the-job training by students.
11.2 Religion
(1) Support and promote religion-affiliated educational institutions in promoting religious teachings and doctrines. Encourage all religious establishments to maintain a clean and peaceful environment so that they can benefit the nearby communities in terms of spiritual development.
(2) Encourage children and youth to study religious teachings and participate more often in religious functions, particularly with their family members.
(3) Encourage people of different religions to engage collectively in public services that are beneficial to society as a whole with a view to promoting peace and harmony in the Thai society.
11.3 Culture
(1) Promote cultural awareness among children and students, particularly regarding Thai arts and culture as a means of preserving Thailand's cultural heritage.
(2) Preserve and restore cultural and historic sites for educational purposes and as a means of generating income for the people.
(3) Encourage the public and youth to play a role and engage in cultural activities jointly with educational institutions, families and communities.
(4) Encourage the tourist industry to honor and publicize Thai culture in a dignified and creative manner.