Four Bangkok Private Schools Seek Closure Over Economic Decline
Four Bangkok private schools have requested closure citing economic hardship and dropping birth rates, prompting the Education Ministry to survey whether more institutions plan to shut down.
Education Minister Prasert Chanthrawong announced after a Private Education Promotion Committee meeting that four private schools in Bangkok have filed for closure due to economic hardship and declining birth rates. The committee also discussed foreign teachers' requests to contribute to a private school teacher welfare fund, but opinions diverged because current regulations require contributors to maintain payments for at least 10 years to receive benefits, while most foreign teachers remain in Thailand for only 6-7 years. The committee directed relevant agencies to further study the matter and weigh the pros and cons before deciding on policy changes. Regarding school closures, the minister emphasized these are internal institutional matters beyond the Education Ministry's scope to intervene in, unless schools request help; however, he noted that if schools close and students transfer successfully to other schools, there should be minimal impact on students. The ministry will conduct a survey to determine whether additional private schools plan to seek closure.
