OEC Reports Thai Education Status for Q1 2026: Education at a Critical Crossroads

On February 18, 2026, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pravit Aravorn, Secretary of the Education Council, chaired a seminar to release the Q1 2026 Thai Education Status Report at the Mandarin Hotel in Bangkok, simultaneously livestreamed on Facebook. Dr. Pravit emphasized that 2026 is a year of context-based policy calibration, focusing on key educational transformation strategies such as credit banking, student tracking systems, learning cities, and budget allocation reforms. The report highlights two critical areas of focus: 1. Emerging Risks: The education system must prepare for an increasingly competitive global landscape with rapid technological changes, particularly the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Global experts stress that education is crucial for developing national resilience through continuous learning. 2. National Educational Context: The report examines Thailand's educational budget allocation, noting that while significant funds are currently directed to primary education, successful countries invest more in early childhood and high school/vocational education to create equity from the start.