On November 6, Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob led a meeting focused on addressing Thailand's student dropout crisis. Joined by Deputy Minister Surasak Pancharoenworakul and other senior officials, the ministry underscored the need for a unified approach to ensure that all students remain within the education system. The meeting introduced the “Thailand Zero Dropout” initiative, aimed at reducing dropout rates through coordinated national efforts.

A committee will soon be established to plan and oversee this initiative, with the Office of the Education Council tasked with creating a strategic framework. Recent data indicates 394,039 children aged 6-18 are currently unregistered in the education system, a situation the initiative seeks to change.

Regional authorities, including provincial education officials and area school administrators, have been directed to conduct outreach to identify and reintegrate students who have dropped out. The ministry is collaborating with other departments, such as the Department of Religion, Department of Juvenile Observation, and the Department of Corrections, to locate and support children who are out of school.

In Buriram Province, a pilot program has begun in 18 districts to monitor and reintegrate students. The ministry’s “Bring Our Children Back to School” project is also in motion, and the progress will be reported as part of ongoing efforts to tackle this issue.