Thai PM Emphasizes Continuation of 'Thailand Zero Dropout Plus' Education Policy, Affirms Good Relations with Former Premier

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has strongly emphasized the continuation of the 'Thailand Zero Dropout Plus' (TZD+) policy, which aims to address children dropping out of the education system. The Prime Minister views this policy as an investment in the nation's human capital and reported that over 600,000 children have been prevented from leaving the education system in the past two to three years. He expressed gratitude for the policy, which was initiated by former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and instructed all provincial governors to individually search for and support the return of these children to education. At a ceremony honoring achievements in promoting the TZD+ policy, Prime Minister Anutin mentioned that former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was the proponent of this policy. He stated that his administration has continued and pushed this policy forward in collaboration with relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Education. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of educational equality, believing that the potential of the people is the nation's most crucial resource. He highlighted the necessity of promptly addressing the issue of dropouts, as these children lose not only educational opportunities but also many life opportunities. Over the past two to three years, the number of children dropping out of the education system has decreased from over one million to just over 600,000. The Prime Minister praised this as a result of the sincere efforts of all involved parties. Furthermore, Prime Minister Anutin reiterated his gratitude to former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the current Minister of Education, Pol. Gen. Permpoon Chidchob (who currently serves as the chairman of the national-level TZD+ project committee), provincial governors, local government officials, and all stakeholders who have driven this policy forward. Provincial governors, in their capacity as chairmen of provincial-level TZD+ committees, have been instructed to coordinate with relevant agencies to identify dropouts on an individual basis, provide continuous support and follow-up, and remove obstacles preventing children from learning. Additionally, the Prime Minister requested the cooperation of the governors' wives, in their roles as presidents of provincial Red Cross chapters, to support the health, welfare, and social services of these children and their families. He also encouraged the private sector to participate in reducing educational disparities, emphasizing that enabling a child to learn, acquire skills, and find employment contributes to building a high-quality workforce for the country in the long run. Prime Minister Anutin also spoke about his meeting with former Prime Minister Srettha, revealing that they met at the Thai Khu Fah Building before Mr. Srettha received an honorary award for initiating 'Thailand Zero Dropout' during his premiership, which provided opportunities for neglected Thai children. He explained that his government continued this policy because of its significant value, with Pol. Gen. Permpoon Chidchob overseeing the project. When asked about political discussions, Prime Minister Anutin stated that he has maintained a good relationship with Mr. Srettha since his departure from the premiership, having known each other since their university days. Therefore, it is natural for them to discuss various topics. He specifically mentioned that Mr. Srettha frequently offers advice on economic and business matters due to his deep expertise in these fields. Source: INN News