Education Minister Naruemon revealed that the Cabinet approved extending the Educational Innovation Area Act for another seven years to continuously reduce educational inequality.
On 21 January 2026, reporters reported that on 20 January, Professor Dr. Naruemon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Education, disclosed the Cabinet meeting results, stating that the Cabinet approved the draft royal decree to extend the enforcement of the 2019 Educational Innovation Area Act, as proposed by the Ministry of Education, ensuring continuity in the operation of educational innovation areas for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
Professor Dr. Naruemon said that since the Educational Innovation Area Act of 2019 is set to expire on 30 April 2026, it is necessary to enact a royal decree to extend its enforcement. The Educational Innovation Area Policy Committee approved this seven-year extension, drafted the royal decree, and conducted public consultations electronically through the central legal system, gathered feedback from related agencies, held a public hearing in Chiang Mai province, and publicly shared the feedback results.
"The seven-year extension of the 2019 Educational Innovation Area Act is aimed at promoting the development of basic education management and enabling the government, local administrative organizations, private sector, and civil society to jointly improve quality and efficiency, effectively reducing educational inequality. So far, 20 educational innovation areas have been established: in 2019, eight provinces including Sisaket, Chiang Mai, Rayong, Kanchanaburi, Satun, and the southern border provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala; in 2022, eleven provinces including Bangkok, Krabi, Chanthaburi, Trat, Phuket, Mae Hong Son, Songkhla, Sa Kaeo, Sukhothai, Surat Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani; and in 2024, one area in Buriram province."