Approaches to Enhancing Educational Equity in Thailand: Collaboration Among Relevant Agencies and Policy Reform
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Abstract
This study aims to analyze the roles and collaborative patterns of agencies involved in enhancing educational equity and to explore approaches for improving educational equity in Thailand. Using qualitative research methodology, the study involved 63 key informants: 16 government representatives, 8 executives and practitioners from the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), 5 private sector executives, 4 scholars and education experts, 6 school administrators and teachers, and 25 representatives from civil society and local communities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis, analyzed using content analysis techniques and triangulation methods. The findings reveal that the main agencies with significant roles include the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Local Administrative Organizations, the Equitable Education Fund, and the private sector. Each agency has complementary roles, but three common challenges were identified: lack of effective coordination mechanisms, unequal resource distribution between areas, and absence of joint monitoring and evaluation systems. The approaches for enhancing educational equity comprise three main dimensions: (1) multi-agency participation through policy and strategy integration, collaborative resource management, community-level support networks, and educational personnel development; (2) legal framework improvements to support equitable resource distribution and curriculum development that responds to diversity; and (3) tax measures to increase educational funding and create incentives for multi-sectoral participation. This research contributes new knowledge on multi-stakeholder partnership frameworks, resource sharing systems, and integrated teacher development programs to sustainably enhance educational equity in Thailand.
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