Education Ministry’s Budget Request for Learning Project Partially Denied

On September 10, 2024, Deputy Minister of Education Mr. Surasak Pancharoenworakul announced that the Ministry of Education (MOE) had submitted a budget request for the 2025 fiscal year to support its “Anyway Anytime” project, aimed at promoting basic learning anywhere, anytime. The MOE requested 7.64 billion baht but only received an allocation of 3.39 billion baht, leaving a shortfall of over 4.14 billion baht. The Ministry had appealed for a revision to reclaim the deducted funds, but the request was recently denied.

The Special Committee responsible for reviewing the 2025 Budget Act decided not to approve the Ministry’s proposal. Now, attention shifts to whether the education policy, set to be outlined by Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra in parliament, will align with the MOE’s vision. If the policy supports the project, it may still be possible to secure central funding for its implementation, especially as the project aligns with the government’s overall educational goals.

Mr. Surasak expressed disappointment over the decision, citing the Ministry’s substantial efforts to implement the project on a national scale. He stressed the importance of this initiative to improve the efficiency of education management. The committee’s reluctance stemmed from concerns about the project’s readiness for such a large-scale rollout.

Despite the setback, preparations for the project are underway. Mr. Surasak explained that efforts include developing a content platform, renting necessary equipment, and utilizing cloud computing services to allow large numbers of students to access learning resources simultaneously. He highlighted that numerous world-class companies have offered competitive equipment rental prices, making the project cost-effective and within the approved budget.

Although the requested additional funds were not granted, the project will proceed with the allocated 3.39 billion baht. This funding will focus on accelerating the creation of the learning platform and content, with an initial rollout for high school students, who are considered better prepared for the digital transition. Mr. Surasak emphasized that the project will eventually be expanded to younger students across the nation, with attention to infrastructure improvements in primary schools to support the initiative.

In the meantime, the Ministry will continue its efforts to secure additional funding and ensure that the project remains on track, ultimately benefiting students at all levels nationwide.