Office of the Education Council
Ministry of Education, Thailand

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Historical Development

          The Office of the Education Council (OEC) was first established in 1959. Originally called the Office of the National Education Council (ONEC) , it was attached to the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand, serving as the lead agency responsible for policy formulation. In 1978, it was renamed the Office of the National Education Commission (ONEC) and remained under the aegis of the Office of the Prime Minister. Since 2003, as part of Thailand 's process of education reform, it was transferred to the Ministry of Education and has been known as the Office of the Education Council (OEC) .

Present Status

          Following the enactment of the Administrative Organization of the Ministry of Education Act 2003, the Ministry now comprises 5 major agencies, namely: Office of the Permanent Secretary; Office of the Education Council; Office of the Basic Education Commission; Office of the Higher Education Commission; and Office of the Vocational Education Commission.

          The OEC is run under leadership and guidance of a group of high-level personnel.

          Among its major responsibilities, the OEC serves as secretariat of the Education Council, entrusted with the tasks of preparing the National Scheme of Education and educational policies for consideration of the Council of Ministers. The Education Council also provides its views and recommendations to the latter upon request.

          The Education Council comprises 59 members under the chairmanship of the Minister of Education. Its membership includes 16 ex officio members, i.e. the Permanent Secretary and Secretaries-General of the main agencies of the Ministry of Education as well as those of the government offices concerned. Representatives of the various organizations include those of the private sector, local administration organizations, professional bodies etc. Among the 30 members serving in their personal capacity are scholars well recognized for their academic and professional achievements. The OEC Secretary-General serves as member and secretary of the Education Council.

Functions of the OEC

          1)  Formulating the National Scheme of Education which integrates relevant aspects of religion, art, culture and sport into all levels of education and coordinating the formulation of educational proposals, policies, plans and standards as well as proposals for policies and plans for mobilization of resources for education;

          2) Conducting research, coordinating and supporting research and development in education, learning network and local wisdom as well as data collection and strengthening computerized information network for formulation of educational policies and plans;

          3) Evaluating educational provision for development of educational policies, plans, standards and legislations; providing views or advice on educational laws and ministerial regulations; and

          4) Conducting other tasks within the jurisdiction and responsibilities as mandated by laws governing the Education Council and the Office of the Education Council or as assigned by the Minister of Education.

Administrative Structure of the OEC

          The administrative structure of the OEC reflects the wide range of its tasks. It comprises 9 units, namely:

1. Educational Policy and Planning Bureau
2. Educational Standards and Learning Development Bureau
3. Educational Provision Evaluation Bureau
4. Educational Research and Development Bureau
5. Educational Law Development Bureau
6. General Administration Bureau
7. Administrative System Development Office
8. International Education Development Centre
9. Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Responsibilities of OEC's different units

          1. Policy and Planning Bureau

                    •  Preparing the National Scheme of Education which integrates relevant aspects of religion, art, culture and sport into education;

                    •  Proposing the overall policy and plan for national education; and

                    •  Coordinating with the principal offices of the Ministry of Education and other agencies concerned for implementation of relevant policies and plans.

          2. Educational Standards and Learning Development Bureau

                    •  Preparing the framework for standards of national education and coordinating for implementation of the national education standards;

                    •  Proposing policy recommendations on learning which integrates relevant aspects of religion, art, culture and sport; and

                    •  Promoting lifelong learning, learning sources and Thai wisdom.

          3.  Educational Provision Evaluation Bureau

                    •  Taking necessary action relating to educational provision assessment, based on the National Scheme of Education; evaluation of educational development, based on the National Education Act, National Education Standards and Government Policy on Education.

          4.  Educational Research and Development Bureau

                    •  Conducting educational research and development for proposing policy and plan for promoting and supporting educational research and other relevant studies;

                    •  Research and development of statistical databases, in particular those on educational research; and

                    •  Preparing educational statistics and indicators.

          5.  Educational Law Development Bureau

                    •  Conducting studies, analyses and research for educational law development ;

                    •  Providing opinion or advice on matters relating to various legislations and ministerial regulations ;

                    •  Proposing amendment or annulment of educational legislations; and

                    •  Initiating educational legislations for the benefit of educational development.

          6.  General Administration Bureau

                    •  Providing services required of OEC as secretariat of the Education Council as well as other services; and

                    •  Proposing OEC's budget and expenditure as well as disbursement schedule .

          7.  Administrative System Development Office

                    •  Planning for change management;

                    •  Providing advice on development of administration;

                    •  Playing a coordinating role with the view to inducing changes; and

                    •  Following up on the refinement of the bureaucratic system for efficiency, effectiveness and good governance.

          8.  International Education Development Centre

                    •  Research and development for acquiring knowledge on international education and development of foreign language policy to raise the quality of Thai education to international standard; and

                    •  Promoting cooperation on international education to strengthen and increase competitiveness of Thai education in the world community.

          9.  Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO)

                    •  Facilitating functioning of OEC's Chief Information Officer;

                    •  Preparing ICT Master Plan and ICT Work Plans of the OEC.

Major Achievements (1999 – present)

1. National Education Act 1999
2. National Scheme of Education 2002 – 2516
3. Strategic Proposals for Education Reform
4. National Education Standards
5. Overall Policy and Plan for National Education
6. Achievements in learning reform
7. Assessed outcomes of education reform
8. Outcomes of educational research and innovations
9. Accomplishments in educational law development
10. Outcomes of comparative research on education reform of selected countries and outstanding international cooperation for education reform

Future Perspective : OEC's Four-Year Work Plan 2005-2008 : Human and Social Development of Quality

          The OEC has prepared a Four-Year Work Plan, which is a strategic plan for human and social development of highest quality. The Work Plan is harmonious with that of the State which is based on the Government Policy. It is also attuned to the Four-Year Work Plan of the Ministry of Education. The main features of the OEC's Four-Year Work Plan are:

          Vision: The Office of the Education Council is the lead agency responsible for formulating national education policies, plans and standards as well as conducting educational research and evaluation to encourage lifelong self-development of the Thai people and to transform the Thai society into a learning society.

          Missions:

          1. Developing educational policies and plans allowing equal access to education for all; establishing an effective and efficient system of education; and enhancing the quality of learning;
          2. Evaluating educational provision based on the National Scheme of Education and the Government Policy;
          3. Promoting research for strengthening educational provision and increasing national competitiveness; and
          4. Strengthening legislation conducive to educational equity and creating national educational system of quality.

          Main Tasks :

          1. Creating and developing bodies of knowledge for policy formulation;
          2. Utilizing research and evaluation as bases for policy formulation;
          3. Coordinating and strengthening cooperation with the principal offices of the Ministry of education and other agencies concerned for policy implementation;
          4. Encouraging participation and creation of relevant networks for policy implementation; and
          5. Promoting Innovation (pilot project/ award/ model).

          For proper direction and orientation of educational development in accord with the OEC's Four-Year Work Plan 2005-2008, the following main strategies and relevant policy formulation issues have been identified:

Strategy 1) Widening educational opportunity and enhancing quality of education

Policy formulation issues

•  Raising educational level of the Thai people;

•  Decentralization of educational authority;

•  Refining policy for teachers' education and development; and

•  Innovating for education reform.

Strategy 2) Encouraging participation and improving administrative system

Policy formulation issues

•  Demand-side development of human resources in accord with national requirements;

•  Mobilizing, allocating and utilizing educational resources;

•  Strengthening legislation for education;

•  Refining evaluation system for educational provision; and

•  Strengthening administrative system for effectiveness and efficiency (organizational and personnel development).

Strategy 3) Enhancing national competitiveness

Policy formulation issues

•  Enhancing research and innovation; and

•  Raising educational quality to reach international standard.

List of Executives of the OEC
Dr Amrung Chantavanich	Secretary-General
Dr Siriporn Boonyananta	Deputy Secretary-General
Dr Nongram Setapanich	Adviser on Educational Policy and Planning
Dr Rungroung Sukapirom	Adviser on Educational Research and Evaluation
Dr Sawat Tichuen	Adviser on Educational System
Ms Niramon Kittivibul	Director of International Education Centre and Administrative System Development Office
Ms Surang Phopruksawong	Director of Educational Provision Evaluation Bureau
Ms Sudhasinee Vajrabul	Director of Educational Standards and Learning Development Bureau
Mr Nopporn Suvanruji	Director of Educational Law Development Bureau
Dr Cherapun Poonnakaseam	Director of General Administration Bureau
Dr Suthasri Wongsamarn	Director of Educational Policy and Planning
Ms Wattana Artidtieng	Director of Educational Research and Development Bureau and Office of CIO

International Education Development Centre
Office of the Education Council
Tel (662) 6687123 Ext. 2526, 2527, 2529
Fax (662) 6687329
e-mail: edfund@onec.go.th