SMALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS: A FUTURE AT THE CROSSROADS

Authors

  • Sasiton Phichi Faculty of Education and Development Sciences Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus
  • Sumit Suwan Faculty of Education and Development Sciences Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus
  • Patcharapa Tantichuwet Faculty of Education and Development Sciences Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64186/jsp3248%20

Keywords:

Small Primary Schools , Future at the Crossroads , Policy Decisions

Abstract

     This article aims to analyze the context, current conditions, and transformative trends of Small Primary Schools within the landscape of global educational shifts. These changes have inevitably impacted the Thai educational system, particularly affecting small-scale primary institutions that serve as the backbone of rural education. These schools are currently grappling with severe constraints in resources, budgeting, and personnel, alongside the persistent challenge of multigrade instruction due to incomplete teaching staff. Furthermore, existing educational policies have proven insufficiently agile to respond to the rapid fluctuations in the school-age population. This study positions the Future at the Crossroads for these institutions, presenting a critical juncture where stakeholders must decide between maintaining status quo, dissolution, or transferring jurisdiction to Local Administrative Organizations with greater capacity and readiness. By scrutinizing the structural impediments of small primary schools, this article underscores the imperative for strategic Policy Decisions characterized by flexibility and alignment with local contexts. Such a paradigm shift is essential to mitigating educational inequality, fostering social justice, and enhancing the quality of education, ultimately securing genuine long-term sustainability for learners in the modern era.

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Published

2026-04-13

How to Cite

Phichi, S., Suwan, S., & Tantichuwet, P. (2026). SMALL PRIMARY SCHOOLS: A FUTURE AT THE CROSSROADS. Journal of social studies perspectives, 2(3), 14 หน้า. https://doi.org/10.64186/jsp3248