The Cabinet has approved Phase 2 of the Local Teacher Development Project, focusing on producing highly competent teachers who will be appointed to serve in their home regions. The project targets 16,033 teachers and aims to elevate the quality of Thai education to meet international standards.
On 26 May 2026, Second Lieutenant Phatdarasmi Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, announced that the Cabinet approved the implementation of the “Local Teacher Development Project Phase 2” for 2026–2039, as proposed by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. The Cabinet also approved a total budget allocation of 2,037.96 million baht to enhance teacher skills and manage the project.
Phase 2 continues from Phase 1 of the Local Teacher Development Project, aiming to produce teachers in subjects that are scarce and essential for basic education according to local needs. It also seeks to develop teachers with high skills and competencies in pedagogy, English proficiency, and technology use, to help raise student literacy according to the international student assessment program, PISA. Phase 2 plans to produce a total of 16,033 high-quality teachers across nine cohorts, with the first student intake starting in the 2027 academic year through 2035, and teacher appointments occurring from 2031 to 2039 nationwide.
Second Lieutenant Phatdarasmi added that the project will enable higher education institutions to produce teachers in shortage subjects and regions, serving agencies such as the Office of the Basic Education Commission, the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration with quality teachers. Graduates who meet criteria will be appointed as teachers in their home areas or other locations as requested by the employing agency and are required not to request transfers for five years from the date of appointment.
The government places great importance on reforming teacher production systems and improving basic education quality. Phase 2 of the Local Teacher Development Project will not only directly address teacher shortages in remote areas but also serve as a key mechanism to develop a new generation of highly competent teachers who can transform classrooms and sustainably raise the capabilities of Thai youth to meet international standards.