Managing Educational Inequality

Abstract

Education is a crucial factor in human resource development and driving economic and social progress in a country. However, educational inequality remains a significant challenge, particularly in developing countries like Thailand. This inequality manifests through disparities in educational quality, access to education, and academic achievement among population groups with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. In the context of Thailand, educational inequality is evident across multiple dimensions, such as disparities between urban and rural schools, gaps between public and private institutions, and inequitable access to technology and educational resources. Moreover, familial socioeconomic factors significantly impact students' educational opportunities and outcomes. Managing educational inequality necessitates a comprehensive approach, encompassing educational policy reform, resource allocation, enhancement of teacher and educational personnel quality, curriculum improvement to align with labor market demands and 21st-century skills, promotion of technology use to expand educational opportunities, and fostering collaboration among government, private sector, and community stakeholders. These initiatives require sustained commitment and support from all sectors of society, coupled with systematic monitoring and evaluation. This approach aims to ensure that managing educational inequality leads to sustainable human resource development and long-term, inclusive economic and social growth.