For Mathayom 1 level, schools would in general have to accept all applicants. Drawing of lots would only be carried out if the number of applicants exceeded the intake limit. In 362 of the most popular schools in Bangkok, half the students would be admitted via exams and the rest from the schools' catchment areas, Natepreeya said.

Schools upcountry would mainly admit students from within their service zones, with 10 per cent coming through the exam system and 10 per cent permitted to live outside the zone if they had a house registered in the province, she said.

The quota for children of school patrons would be considered according to space and the number of students per class, she added.

At Mathayom 4 level, schools offering both lower and higher secondary education should recruit their own Mathayom 3 students with high potential before allowing applications from others. The ratio for the remainder should be at least 80 per cent through exams, while quota intake should be limited to 20 per cent, she said.

The ministry also said it did not approve of schools asking for or accepting donations from parents or organisations during the admissions period. Educational zone offices and the ministry's inspector-generals would be open to public complaints about such demands for donations from schools.

The mnistry reported to yesterday's Cabinet meeting that it aims to admit 588,701 kindergarten, 640,122 Prathom 1, 794,670 Mathayom 1 and 477,660 Mathayom 4 students this year

The Cabinet also approved, in principle, draft legislation covering student uniforms as proposed by the Ministry. It was forwarded to the Council of State for scrutiny before it will be put to the National Legislative Assembly. The draft includes penalties of up to a month in jail and/or a fine of Bt1,000 for anyone caught wearing a student uniform without permission or individuals who misrepresent themselves as students.