Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has approved a plan to cap tuition payments at public universities at 50% each semester, to lessen the financial burden on students and their parents amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and is expected to pass the proposed plan to the Cabinet for a budget allocation on 20 July.
Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said other benefits were also suggested, while the Education Ministry and Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation proposed a set of relief measures to help teachers, students and parents.
She added that private universities are also encouraged to reduce tuition costs and to launch other relief measures, such as extending loan payment periods or allowing installment plans.
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry’s Student Loans Fund has offered a relief measure to borrowers, extending the debt repayment period to up to 30 years, from the current 15 years, to ease their burden during the prolonged pandemic.