Introduction
This article provides an overview of the legal framework governing quality assurance for international schools in Thailand. While the focus is on international schools, their quality assurance requirements form part of the broader education quality assurance framework under Thai education law, which sets out general principles applicable to all educational institutions, including public schools, private Thai schools and international schools. This article first examines the general quality assurance framework under Thai law before considering the specific rules applicable to international schools, the scope and application of which may vary depending on the relevant supervisory authority.
Quality Assurance Framework under the National Education Act
The general quality assurance framework is set out under the National Education Act B.E. 2542 (1999) and its sub-regulations. In particular, under the Ministerial Regulation on Educational Quality Assurance B.E. 2561 (2018) issued pursuant to the National Education Act, every educational institution must establish an internal quality assurance system to ensure that education provision meets the prescribed education standards.
The regulation requires schools to
- establish an internal quality assurance system by setting the institution’s education standards in line with the education standards applicable to the relevant level and type of education;
- prepare and implement an educational development plan to ensure that the provision of education meets such standards;
- conduct internal evaluation and monitoring of educational quality;
- implement measures for the continuous improvement of educational quality; and
- submit an annual self-assessment report to the relevant supervising authority.
Internal Quality Assurance and SAR reporting
Schools must implement an internal quality assurance system and submit an annual Self-Assessment Report (SAR) to the Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) through the information system called E-SAR. The report typically includes:
- basic school information including details of curricula approved by the Ministry of Education;
- executive summary on the overview of school operations and academic performance in the previous academic year;
- personnel and student statistics;
- school accreditation status; and
- the school’s self-assessment results against its education standards, including strengths, areas for improvement and development plans.
Education Standards for International Schools
For international schools, additional requirements are set out in the Ministerial Notification on Guidelines for Determining Educational Standards for Formal Schools, International Category, which provides that international schools must align their institutional standards with both the national education standards and the standards of the relevant authority or organisation, as applicable.
The Ministerial Notification distinguishes between two main scenarios:
Schools using a national curriculum
If the school follows the national curriculum of a particular country, its education standards must align with the standards prescribed by the relevant government authority of that country.
Schools using other international curricula
If the school adopts an international curriculum (other than a national curriculum of a particular country), its education standards must be benchmarked against international standards established by organisations recognised by the Thai Ministry of Education.
Except for international schools offering only pre-primary education, international schools adopting such international curricula (e.g. the Cambridge curriculum) must become a member of an accrediting organisation recognised by OPEC, a government agency under the Ministry of Education, within one year of obtaining the licence to establish the school and commencing operation. Within five years of becoming a member of that organisation, the schools must undergo a full evaluation and quality assessment conducted by that organisation.
OPEC recognises multiple international accreditation bodies, including: the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the Council of International Schools (CIS), the Education Development Trust (EDT), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), Cognia, Accreditation International (AI), the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).
Conclusion
Accreditation is an important legal obligation for international schools in Thailand. In addition to complying with the licensing and operational requirements under the Private Schools Act, operators must ensure that the school maintains an internal quality assurance system, submits annual Self-Assessment Reports, and sets institutional education standards in accordance with the applicable legal requirements.
For international schools, accreditation planning should also be considered as part of the school’s broader compliance framework, particularly where the school is required to obtain membership with, and undergo evaluation by, a recognised accreditation organisation within the prescribed timelines. Operators should therefore assess these requirements at an early stage when establishing or operating an international school in Thailand.
This document is solely intended to provide an update on recent development in Thailand legislation and is not purported to provide a legal opinion, nor a legal advice to any person.
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