As schools prepare to reopen, what toll has COVID taken on Thailand’s children?

13 Sept 13:09 Key points summarised by AI

Experts urge Thai schools to prioritize emotional healing in the initial month of reopening, acknowledging the significant mental and emotional toll COVID-19 and prolonged home learning have taken on children.
The pandemic led to diminished educational quality, lack of social interaction, and increased stress, contributing to a surge of school dropouts, many due to family financial struggles.
While the Education Ministry plans safety protocols and active learning, experts advocate for a holistic strategy that addresses not only academic catch-up but also the social, emotional, and economic challenges faced by students and their families, including the high cost of 'free' education.
Online learning at universities also resulted in a decline in academic quality and student confidence, highlighting the widespread educational disruption across all levels.

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