Reforming External Quality Assurance in Thai Vocational Education: A Framework for 2024–2028
Keywords:
vocational education, external quality assurance, educational policy, Thailand, ONESQA, learning society, education standardsAbstract
This paper presents the revised external quality assurance (EQA) framework for vocational education institutions in Thailand, implemented by the Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA) for 2024–2028. The framework addresses evolving labor market demands, socio-economic transitions, and global trends in education quality standards. Comprising three standards and ten indicators, it emphasizes graduate competencies, institutional management, and contributions to a learning society. Drawing on over two decades of EQA implementation, this study analyzes the framework's structure, objectives, assessment methods, and discusses its potential impact on vocational education quality and accountability. The findings suggest the framework aligns with national qualifications, promotes stakeholder collaboration, and reflects international best practices.
References
ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework. (2015). ASEAN qualifications reference framework. ASEAN Secretariat. https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ASEAN-Qualifications-Reference-Framework.pdf
European Quality Assurance Reference Framework for Vocational Education and Training. (2019). EQAVET framework. European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET). https://www.eqavet.eu/EU-Quality-Assurance/Framework
Ministry of Education, Thailand. (2022). Thailand 4.0 policy and human capital development. https://www.moe.go.th/
Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment. (n.d.). Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA). https://www.onesqa.or.th/
Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment. (2023, April 28). Announcement of the ONESQA committee on the framework for external quality assurance in educational institutions: Early childhood education, basic education level, non-formal and informal education, and vocational education. https://www.onesqa.or.th/upload/download/202304281623252.pdf
Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment. (2023, December 1). Announcement of the ONESQA committee on the framework for external quality assurance in educational institutions: Early childhood education, basic education level and vocational education (2024–2028) (Revised edition). https://www.onesqa.or.th/upload/download/202312071159428.pdf
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2020). Strengthening the governance of skills systems. https://www.oecd.org/education/strengthening-skills-systems.htm
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2022). Transforming technical and vocational education and training for the future. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000381311
World Bank. (2021). Thailand economic monitor: The road to recovery. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099825012162126180/pdf/P1765430c5f6b50d108e1b0ebc3d3e9c5e3.pdf
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 ONESQA Quality Assurance in Education Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
