NIDA Poll releases survey results on the start of the school year, urging the Minister of Education to address inequality and demanding that free education be a reality.

A recent NIDA poll indicates that Thais are demanding that "free education must be a reality" within one year, urging the Minister of Education to urgently address hidden costs and inequality among schools.

May 17, 2569 Opinion polling center "NIDA Poll" National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) Together with the Thailand Education Partnership (TEP), we are releasing the results of a survey on... "Hope for the New School Year 2569: Reflections from the Minister of Education on the Mission to Address Inequality" A survey was conducted between April 30 and May 5, 2569, among 1,310 respondents aged 18 and over, representing all regions, educational levels, occupations, and income levels nationwide, regarding public opinion on addressing problems in Thai education. The survey used probability sampling from the "NIDA Poll" Master Sample database, employing multi-stage sampling and collecting data through telephone interviews. The margin of error was limited to 0.05 at a 97.0% confidence level.

A survey asking about public confidence in the current Thai education system's ability to create a good and secure future for their children found that:

• For example, 41.45 percent indicated that they were somewhat confident.
• Next, 29.77 percent indicated that they did not have much confidence.
• 17.25 percent indicated that they were very confident (e.g., confident that current schools are providing good care and education to children).
• And 11.53 percent indicated that they had no confidence at all (e.g., relying heavily on tutoring or struggling primarily on their own).

Regarding public opinion on current school and teaching methods and their ability to develop Thai children's critical thinking, work skills, and life abilities in the modern world, the findings are as follows:

• For example, 46.41 percent indicated that it was "quite good".
• The next largest group, 33.89 percent, indicated that it was not very good (e.g., focusing only on rote memorization and not being able to apply it in real work).
• 10.99 percent indicated that they performed very well (e.g., children who graduated are ready to work and live their lives).
• 8.40 percent indicated that it was absolutely not true (e.g., following the traditional system doesn't meet the needs of the modern world).
• And 0.31 percent indicated that they did not know/were unsure/were not interested.

Regarding issues that the government needs to urgently address in order to alleviate the suffering of parents, guardians, and children, it was found that:

• 35.04 percent of the sample indicated a disparity in quality (schools near home are not as good as well-known schools in the city).
• The second most common response, at 24.50 percent, was that children study hard but are not able to apply what they learn in real life.
• 23.59 percent indicated that the safety and mental health of children in school (e.g., bullying, drug use, stress) were important.
• 15.95 percent indicated that teachers' workloads were excessive, leaving them with insufficient time to teach or care for the children.
• 0.69 percent indicated that they did not know/were unsure/were not interested.
• And 0.23 percent indicated other options, including free education and no educational costs.

Regarding the issues that the public wants the Minister of Education to urgently push forward within one year, it was found that:

• For example, 35.42 percent indicated that free education must be truly free, with no hidden costs.
• The next largest group, 13.51 percent, indicated that they wanted to eliminate redundant projects and reduce the paperwork burden on teachers.
• 12.29 percent indicated that adjusting the curriculum to be competency-based would prepare children for a technology-driven world.
• 9.08 percent indicated that education budgets should be allocated according to the needs of each area, especially for small schools and schools in remote areas.
• 8.70 percent indicated that establishing a Human Capital Superboard would link education to meet the needs of the labor market, ensuring children have jobs and income.
• 7.79 percent indicated that they assess students based on outcomes, not grades.
• 4.58 percent indicated that the "One District, One Education" (ODOS) scholarship program truly reached every district.
• 4.20 percent indicated that the goal is for zero children to drop out of the education system (Thailand Zero Dropout).
• 1.91 percent indicated that reducing the burden on teachers to prepare lunch, establishing a local central lunch kitchen, and setting up a 24-hour center for the protection of children's rights and freedoms for teachers were equally important.
• And 0.61 percent indicated that they did not know/were unsure/were not interested.

Finally, when asked about public sentiment regarding the government's promises to improve Thai education and what clearly demonstrates that education has actually improved, the findings were:

• For example, 28.78 percent indicated that Thai children, after graduating, find jobs related to their field, are not unemployed, and receive appropriate salaries.
• Next, 16.64 percent indicated that Thai children can communicate in English and have skills comparable to children from other countries.
• 14.81 percent indicated that teachers have ample time to dedicate to teaching, without having to waste time on paperwork or other tasks.
• 14.35 percent indicated that their children were happy going to school and were not stressed or depressed from studying.
• 14.05 percent indicated that parents do not need to take out loans or spend a lot of money to get their children into "prestigious schools."
• 6.10 percent indicated that news of violence, teachers abusing children, or problems in schools has decreased significantly.
• 2.98 percent indicated other responses, including that there are still insufficient clear indicators to reflect the true improvement of Thai education, and 2.29 percent indicated that they did not know/were unsure/were not interested.

Considering the general characteristics of the sample, it was found that 8.55% of the sample resided in Bangkok, 18.70% in the Central region, 17.79% in the Northern region, 33.28% in the Northeastern region, 13.82% in the Southern region, and 7.86% in the Eastern region. Of the sample, 47.94% were male and 52.06% were female.

For example, 12.13 percent were aged 18-25 years, 17.79 percent were aged 26-35 years, 17.94 percent were aged 36-45 years, 26.34 percent were aged 46-59 years, and 25.80 percent were aged 60 years and over. Of the sample, 96.34 percent were Buddhist, 2.82 percent were Muslim, and 0.84 percent were Christian and other religions.

For example, 35.42% were single, 61.76% were married, and 2.82% were widowed, divorced, or separated. Regarding education, 0.30% had no education, 12.52% had completed primary education, 30.92% had completed secondary education or equivalent, 10.46% had completed an associate degree or equivalent, 38.01% had completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and 7.79% had completed a postgraduate degree.

For example, 14.05 percent were civil servants/employees/state enterprise employees. 16.87 percent were private employees. 22.90 percent were business owners/self-employed. 7.33 percent were farmers/fishermen. 13.59 percent were general contractors/laborers. 18.39 were butlers/housewives/retired/unemployed and 6.87% were students.

For example, 18.63% had no income, 2.90% had an average monthly income of no more than 5,000 baht, 11.76% had an average monthly income of 5,001-10,000 baht, 33.28% had an average monthly income of 10,001-20,000 baht, 14.43% had an average monthly income of 20,001-30,000 baht, 5.95% had an average monthly income of 30,001-40,000 baht, 3.82% had an average monthly income of 40,001-50,000 baht, 1.91% had an average monthly income of 50,001-60,000 baht, and 0.30% had an average monthly income of 60,001-70,000 baht. 70,001-80,000 baht: an equal proportion (0.99%), average monthly income of 80,001 baht or more: 5.73%, unspecified income.