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Published on October 10, 2007

Education Minister Wijit Srisaan said yesterday that only students who were relatives of "those contributing to the country" and those fitting the original conditions agreed on between their families and schools could still benefit from their qualifications under the special quotas.

The new regulation had resulted from a joint

agreement - involving the ministry, the National Legislative Assembly and the Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC) - which was aimed at ridding the long-standing favouritism used in enrolling privileged and rich children to renowned schools.

Defining the term "those contributing to the country", Wijit said they were families of soldiers or policemen killed or injured in the line of duty.

The original agreement could mean conditions that schools and parents had mutually agreed on to enrol children under specific qualifications.

The new ministry regulation also bars each class in government high schools from having more than 40 students - although 45 students per class could be negotiable.

However, a maximum number of 50 per class could be allowed under circumstances with permission from OBEC area offices.

Starting the new semester on November 1, all government high schools must accept 50 per cent of new students living in their service areas. The remaining 50 per cent is for students who live outside the service areas selected through examination. A small number of students can qualify under the special quotas.

 The Nation