Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved the second phase of the teacher training program for local communities, allocating over 2 billion baht to cultivate highly competent teachers.
According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Patthadarasmi Thongsalooykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Cabinet meeting approved the implementation of the "Teacher Training Project for Local Development, Phase 2" (2026-2039), as proposed by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. A total budget of 2,037.96 million baht was also approved for the operation, enhancement of teacher skills, and project management.
This second phase of the project is a continuation of the first phase of the teacher training program for local development. Its objective is to produce teachers in subjects facing shortages and essential for basic education, based on the needs of each area. The project aims to produce teachers with high skills, competencies, and potential in teaching skills, English language skills, and technological skills, in order to collectively enhance student literacy in line with the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). This second phase targets the production of a total of 16,033 high-quality teachers (across nine cohorts). The first cohort will be admitted from the 2027-2035 academic year, with teacher appointments to schools nationwide beginning from 2031-2039.
Captain Patthadarasmi further explained that this project will help higher education institutions produce quality teachers in fields and areas experiencing shortages for teacher-employing agencies such as the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Upon graduation and meeting the criteria, they will be appointed as teachers in their hometown or other areas as needed by the employing agency, and will be prohibited from requesting a transfer for a period of 5 years from the date of their appointment.
The government places great importance on reforming the teacher training system and improving the quality of basic education. This second phase of the Teacher Training Program for Local Development will not only directly address the teacher shortage in remote areas but will also be a key mechanism in creating a new generation of highly competent teachers capable of transforming classrooms and sustainably enhancing the capabilities of Thai youth to a global level.