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Published on August 8, 2007

Most of the students are children of politicians and their canvassers who did poorly at school but won the scholarships through favouritism.

The ODOS programme was one of many populist policies initiated by the ousted Thaksin Shinawatra government, the report said.

A total of 921 high-school graduates were selected to join the programme in 2003 but there were now only 739 still studying abroad and relying on government grants. Education Minister Wijit Srisaan will call a meeting to discuss the issue on Thursday.

Permanent Secretary Jaruayphorn Thorranin said only five students had graduated under the programme, all from studies in India, while many others wanted to quit their studies overseas and continue their remaining education in Thailand.

The number of students under the programme will fall to around 400 next year while domestic courses would also be offered, she said.

All applicants must undergo a national standard test, which will be made available

in the near future, to ensure their minimum academic ability.

Under the programme, which is now called the "Scholarships for Local Development" project, 728 students in Class II have been selected for overseas studies and a smaller number for domestic courses.

The programme requires a tie-over budget of Bt6 billion with another Bt1.2 billion approved for next year.