Pavich proposes Super Board to overhaul Thai education laws

MGR Online•Politics•17d ago

Reader Briefing

Professor Dr. Pavich Thongroj proposes a comprehensive overhaul of Thailand's education laws and the creation of a Prime Minister-led national human resource development board.

•The seminar on 'Education Act for the Future of Thai Education and Research' was held on August 7, 2026 at Chulalongkorn University.
•Professor Dr. Pavich Thongroj suggested splitting education law into two pillars: an Umbrella Law for policy and a Basic Education Act for management.
•Pavich Thongroj proposed establishing a National Human Resource Development Policy Committee chaired by the Prime Minister.
•Pavich Thongroj recommended abolishing the division between primary and secondary education in favor of a continuous 9-year compulsory education system.

Overview

•On August 7, 2026, the Hub of Talents for Thailand Education Reform organized an academic seminar at Chulalongkorn University.
•Pavich Thongroj stated that education reform in Thailand over the past 30-40 years has not achieved satisfactory results.
•Pavich Thongroj cited PISA scores from 2000-2022 showing over 70% of Thai students are in the 'Alert Red' zone, lacking essential modern life skills.
•Pavich Thongroj warned that the upcoming PISA 2025 results, due in December, may reflect an even more concerning situation.
•Pavich Thongroj proposed that a new Education Act should include a specific section on Artificial Intelligence to prepare for future impacts.
•Pavich Thongroj suggested that the current primary-to-secondary transition, specifically the entrance exam for Grade 7, turns primary schools into tutoring centers.
•Pavich Thongroj revealed that a previous curriculum reform under the government of Yingluck Shinawatra was stalled due to political reasons.
•Pavich Thongroj is driving the establishment of at least 20 STEM Centers nationwide using universities as hubs.

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Key Quotes

Pavich Thongroj

"When there is a new opportunity to make new laws, we must set new hopes for Thai education."

เมื่อมีโอกาสใหม่ในการทำกฎหมายใหม่ เราก็ต้องตั้งความหวังใหม่ให้กับการศึกษาไทย

Key Entities

Person

Pavich Thongroj(ภาวิช ทองโรจน์)

Head of the Hub of Talents for Thailand Education Reform and former Secretary-General of the Office of the Higher Education Commission.

Yingluck Shinawatra(ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร)ℹ️

The former Prime Minister during whose government a curriculum reform was attempted.

Organization

Hub of Talents for Thailand Education Reform(ศูนย์รวมผู้เชี่ยวชาญเพื่อการปฏิรูปการศึกษาไทย)

An organization under the National Research Council that organized the seminar on the Education Act.

National Research Council(สำนักงานการวิจัยแห่งชาติ)

The agency overseeing the Hub of Talents for Thailand Education Reform.

National Human Resource Development Policy Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบายการพัฒนาทรัพยากรมนุษย์แห่งชาติ)

A proposed 'Super Board' chaired by the Prime Minister to integrate education and labor skills policies.

Place

Chulalongkorn University(จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)ℹ️

The location of the seminar at Meeting Center 205, Institute Building 3.

Law

National Education Act(พ.ร.บ.การศึกษาแห่งชาติ)

The primary education law of Thailand, specifically mentioning the 1999 version.

Higher Education Act(พ.ร.บ.การอุดมศึกษา)

A specific education-related law mentioned as part of the legal landscape.

Vocational Education Act(พ.ร.บ.การอาชีวศึกษา)

A specific education-related law mentioned as part of the legal landscape.

Early Childhood Development Act(พ.ร.บ.การพัฒนาเด็กปฐมวัย)

A specific education-related law mentioned as part of the legal landscape.

Learning Promotion Act(พ.ร.บ.ส่งเสริมการเรียนรู้)

A specific education-related law mentioned as part of the legal landscape.