Nida Poll Results: Parents Urge Education Minister to Address Educational Inequality—Students Study Hard but Can't Apply Learning in Real Life
A Nida Poll survey of 1,310 Thais found that over one-third lack confidence in the education system's ability to secure children's futures, with parents citing quality inequality and students' inability to apply classroom learning to real l
The Nida Poll opinion survey center at the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), in partnership with the Thailand Education Partnership (TEP), released findings from a survey titled 'New Semester 2025 Hopes: Voices Reaching the Education Minister on the Mission to Reduce Inequality.' The survey was conducted from April 30 to May 5, 2025, among 1,310 respondents aged 18 and over from all regions, education levels, professions, and income brackets across Thailand, addressing public opinion on solving Thailand's education problems.
When asked about public confidence in the current Thai education system's ability to create a good and secure future for children, the results showed:
- 41.45% indicated fairly confident - 29.77% indicated not very confident - 17.25% indicated very confident (such as believing schools currently care for and teach children well) - 11.53% indicated not confident at all (such as relying on tutoring or struggling independently)
Regarding public opinion on whether schools and current teaching methods can develop Thai children to think critically, work effectively, and function in the modern world:
- 46.41% indicated fairly good - 33.89% indicated not very good (such as emphasis on memorization that cannot be applied to actual work) - 10.99% indicated very good (such as graduates being ready to work and function in life) - 8.40% indicated not at all (such as the current system not meeting modern world demands) - 0.31% indicated unsure/uncertain/uninterested
Regarding issues the government must urgently fix to ease parents' and children's suffering:
- 35.04% cited quality inequality (nearby schools lack the quality of renowned city schools) - 24.50% cited children studying hard but unable to apply learning in daily life - 23.59% cited student safety and mental health in schools (such as bullying, drugs, stress) - 15.95% cited excessive teacher workloads leaving no time for proper teaching or student care - 0.69% indicated unsure/uncertain/uninterested - 0.23% cited other issues including free education with no hidden educational costs
Regarding what the public wants the Education Minister to urgently implement within one year:
- 35.42% want genuinely free education with no hidden costs - 13.51% want elimination of redundant programs and reduced teacher paperwork - 12.29% want curriculum revision based on competencies preparing children for technology-driven world - 9.08% want education budget allocation based on regional needs, especially small and remote schools - 8.70% want establishment of Human Capital Superboard linking education to labor market demands with employment and income for youth - 7.79% want student assessment based on outcomes, not grades - 4.58% want the 'One District One Education' (ODOS) fund truly extended to all districts - 4.20% want zero school dropouts (Thailand Zero Dropout) - 1.91% want reducing teacher burden for school meal arrangements
