The Equitable Education Fund (EEF) kicked off a forum to gather feedback from partner networks nationwide to draft a 5-year strategic plan aimed at advancing solutions to educational inequality, while inviting the public to share their opinions through all online channels.
On 4 Aug 2026 at Veladee Hotel in Nakhon Phanom province, the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) held its first public consultation forum together with educational partners, communities, and local administrative organizations nationwide to collaboratively design and set the direction for the "EEF 5-Year Strategic Plan Draft (2028–2032)." The focus is on addressing systemic educational inequality to achieve the goal that all children, youth, and citizens receive quality learning opportunities aligned with their potential in a sustainable way.
Participants from Nakhon Phanom and neighboring provinces in the Northeast region engaged in diverse discussions, including educators and learning managers (both formal and informal), government agencies, regional authorities, local administrations, private sector, civil society, academia, media, as well as children, youth, and parents.
At the forum themed "Moving Forward Together Toward the Second Decade of Educational Equity," Professor Wutthisarn Tanchai, Chairman of the EEF Board, highlighted the organization's role over the past eight years since its establishment under the Equitable Education Fund Act of 2018, positioning EEF as a "catalyst and leverage point" linking data, research, innovations, and partner networks to translate pilot project successes into systemic national change.
"The EEF points out that educational inequality currently faces multiple challenges, including the rise of AI technology, demographic changes, economic volatility, and natural disasters. The education challenge has shifted from merely enrolling children in school to creating a learning system that enables children to live and grow in the modern world—that is, flexible learning," said the EEF Chairman.
Professor Wutthisarn further explained to clarify this concept that the education system is like a "train" carrying three groups of passengers who require different support strategies: 1. Children within the education system (on the train) need an overall quality upgrade so that regardless of their level, they acquire sufficient knowledge to achieve life goals; 2. Children who must leave the system midway (getting off at stations) should find every "station" an opportunity through lifelong learning and skill development; 3. Children who have dropped out (fallen off the train) often face poverty, family issues, health problems, teenage pregnancy, or other conditions beyond their choice.
Often, children do not want to leave the "train" but are forced by circumstances. Therefore, the key challenge is how to create support processes and empower them with choices. If they must leave, how do we ensure they are not overly harmed, have support stations, and can continue living and moving forward with dignity? This group, who never boarded the "train," represents children lacking access to opportunities. This is a crucial issue addressed through the Thailand Zero Dropout Plus approach, collaborating with local administrations and communities to find, follow up, assist, and bring learning opportunities directly to these children.
"Educational equity does not mean everyone rides the same train car but that everyone has the opportunity to reach their life destination via a path suited to their potential and circumstances. When one system cannot meet the needs, there must be alternative routes; no one should be left behind," Professor Wutthisarn said.
The EEF Chairman concluded by expressing confidence that drafting the next 5-year strategic plan is not the work of a single organization. He invited partner networks, experts, education workers, communities, and the public to contribute suggestions to collectively answer: "What do we want Thai education to look like in five years?" and "What role should EEF play as a strategic connector?"
Feedback and suggestions can be submitted from now until 30 Sep 2026 through the online system at the websitehttps://www.eef.or.th/public-hearing/and all EEF online channels. All comments and data will be synthesized to draft the EEF Strategic Plan 2028–2032 to produce concrete results that truly meet needs.
