Bangkok: The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has implemented seven strategic measures aimed at reducing the financial strain on parents during the energy crisis impacting the 2026 academic year.
According to Thai News Agency, OBEC has dispatched urgent communications to all regional education offices, urging adherence to these measures to relieve parents of students. Mr. Pichet Phophakdee, Secretary-General of OBEC, disclosed that directives have been issued nationwide, mandating educational service offices to inform affiliated schools about the "Announcement of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) Regarding Measures to Reduce the Financial Burden of Parents of Students in the Energy Crisis Situation, Academic Year 2026." The measures are designed to be adaptable to each school's specific context to effectively support parents facing hardship due to the energy crisis. Educational service offices have been tasked with promoting, supporting, supervising, and ensuring the effective implementation of these initiatives.
The seven measures prioritize maintaining normal, quality education while ensuring equitable opportunities for all students. Schools are advised to consider reducing or waiving tuition fees, relaxing uniform requirements, and minimizing the use of costly learning materials and equipment. The measures also include reducing the purchase of supplementary textbooks, limiting activities that incur additional fees, and avoiding assignments that financially burden parents. Additionally, schools are encouraged to integrate digital technology in educational administration and teaching.
The OBEC announcement empowers school principals to introduce further measures tailored to their school's context. Suggestions include allowing continued use of uniforms across grades, simplifying mandatory uniform purchases, removing restrictions on school bag styles, designing cost-free learning activities, promoting group work, and utilizing digital platforms for monitoring and assignments.