Darunee Fund 
for Education in Asia
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for Education in Asia
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Darunee Newsletter No. 19 Current Situation in Thailand - EDF Thailand May 1999 report It has been two years since the economic crisis occurred. The economy in Bangkok has since managed to revive, but the situation for the poor is still severe. This is reflected in the current educational conditions. During the economic crisis, many construction projects in Bangkok were forced to stop. Most of these construction workers came from Northeastern Thailand. They had been working these jobs in order to send money home to their family for household expenses and education/school costs. Many of them lost their jobs and had no choice but to return to their villages. A survey conducted by the Thai Education Information Center illustrates the effects of the economic crisis on education. According to the survey, in 1997, seventh grade enrollment turned out to be 11% lower than estimated. Then in 1998, following the economic crisis, enrollment declined at elementary, junior high, and high school levels. Enrollment into seventh grade was especially low; it was 23% lower than estimated. These figures are the national average. The enrollment in Northeastern Thailand, the poorest region, is even lower. Furthermore, the Center states that junior high school dropouts have been increasing. The survey found the dropout rate (national average) to be 4.6%. The direct relationship between economic means and education shows that every donation will help raise enrollment and lower the dropout rate. |