Education Ministry Probes Four Schools Over Fraudulent Student Loans

Education Minister Prasert Chantharavung revealed after a cabinet meeting on September 22 that the ministry had reported a case of fraudulent education loan claims to the cabinet. An investigation found four private colleges involved: two in Bung Kan province, one in Sakon Nakhon province, and one in Nong Bua Lamphu province, using student names to withdraw education loan funds. The initial report had suggested the problem was confined to Kalasin province.

The Education Ministry ordered a fact-finding inquiry beginning August 26, examining the entire loan process from application through verification and disbursement. Any government officials or state employees found to be involved will face strict legal action. The investigation will also determine whether any students or graduates had their personal information used to obtain loans without their consent, as this could saddle them with unauthorized debt.

Minister Prasert also addressed corruption in the school lunch subsidy program, which is funded by the government through local administrative organizations before distribution to schools. The Office of the Basic Education Commission has implemented three key measures based on recommendations from the State Audit Office and the Anti-Corruption Commission: drafting an operational manual covering procurement procedures and nutritional standards; deploying technology to verify eligibility and manage the lunch program through the Thai School Lunch app, now in use at over 2,000 pilot schools toward a national target of 3,000; and promoting the Cloud Kitchen policy, where four to five schools in the same subdistrict share a central kitchen to reduce teachers' purchasing burden and free them to focus more on instruction.