Obec needs more money to fund projects, compulsory education

This Bt60 billion will be spent on seven major projects, including turning Thailand into a regional education hub, giving all schools hi-speed Internet connections, as well as developing teaching standards for science and mathematics.

Rangsan Maneelek, a senior Obec official, said the 6 per cent cut had left the Education Ministry with Bt345 billion in hand for the 2010 academic year, still the largest amount among all ministries, whose budgets were trimmed due to the economic downturn.

He said Obec would need an additional Bt60 billion to complete the seven projects during the 2011 academic year. The first Bt60 billion was needed because Obec could not cut the 2010 funds earmarked for various projects, including the government's 15-year free education subsidy, which kicks off in the coming semester next week.