Curriculum

The Curriculum of Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary School

The structure of lower and upper secondary school curricula includes 4 components
Core subjects: basic subjects that correspond to life and society in general and must
be taken by all students. All of these subjects are prepared by the Department of
Curriculum and Instruction Development, Ministry of Education.
Thai Language
Mathematic
Science
Social & Religious and Culture
Prescribed Elective Subjects: basic subjects which are different according to
local conditions and needs. The local authorities are given an opportunity to choose the
subjects offered according to the number of credits, or the local authorities can prepare
the subjects offered by themselves in addition to those prescribed by the Department of
Curriculum and Instruction Development.
Health & Physical Science
Professional works & Technology
Foreign Language
Arts
Free Elective Subjects: are open for learners to choose according to their
interests,aptitude and needs. Students can choose either the subjects prepared by the
Department of Curriculum and Instruction Development or those created by the local
authorities.
Foreign Language (English, French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, etc.)
Activities: All schools are required to organize three types of activities for learners: those
organized in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education; guidance,
remedial teaching or academic development activities; and independent activities of
learners.
Curriculum Practical of Compulsory Education Usage BC 2544 (2001)
The guideline of Learning Essence will be guided as the following;

Period 1-3 (Prathom Suksa 1- Mattayom Suksa 3: Grade 1-9)

There are eight Learning Essence groups namely;

Thai Language
Mathematic
Science
Social & Religious and Culture
Health & Physical Science
Professional works & Technology
Foreign Language and
Arts
The school must provide all of eight groups of Learning essence for its students in each
year but it is not necessary to study all at the first time. Actually, the students must have
to finish studying with all of eight Learning essence groups and fulfill with the standard
knowledge and competence as the required curriculum at the end of the period.
Period 4 (Mattayom Suksa 4-6: Grade 10-12)
The school must not provide all of eight groups of learning essence for the students in
each semester and it is not necessary to study all at the first time. Actually, the students
must finish studying with all of eight Learning essence groups and fulfill with the
standard knowledge and competence as the required curriculum at the end of the
period.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has agreed in principle to cover all costs under the 12year free education scheme, and to extend free schooling to two years of kindergarten.
A full free-education subsidy would amount to THB 1,700 per student at kindergarten
level. The annual subsidy for primary school students would be raised from THB 1,499
to THB 1,900; for lower secondary school students from THB 2,649 to THB 3,500 and
for upper secondary students from THB 3,249 to THB 3,800.
Educational Loan Fund provides funds for students who come from low-income
families and are continuing non-formal education in lower secondary and for students at
high school level through to undergraduate school (for both mainstream and vocational
curriculum). Students must pay back the loan with 1% interest per year after graduating.

Comparison of Grades among Thailand, England and USA

THAILAND

AGE

ENGLAND

U.S.A.

Anuban 1

Reception

Pre-School

Anuban 2

Reception

Pre-School

Anuban 3

Year 1

Kindergarten

Prathom 1

Year 2

Grade 1

Prathom 2

Year 3

Grade 2

Prathom 3

Year 4

Grade 3

Prathom 4

Year 5

Grade 4

Prathom 5

10

Year 6

Grade 5

Prathom 6

11

Year 7

Grade 6

Matayom 1

12

Year 8

Grade 7

Matayom 2

13

Year 9

Grade 8

Matayom 3

14

Year 10

Grade 9

Matayom 4

15

Year 11

Grade 10

Matayom 5

16

Year 12

Grade 11

Matayom 6

17

Year 13

Grade 12

Anuban = Kindergarten; Prathom = Primary; Matayom = Secondary

Sources:www.nidtep.go.th
Grading System
Grade

Meaning

Percentage

43.5

Excellent Very Good

80-10075-79

Good

70-74

2.5

Quite Well

65-69

Satisfactory

60-64

1.5

Fair

55-59

Pass

50-54

Failure

0-49