Access to higher education remains a distant goal for many underprivileged and marginalized students, hindered by various systemic and financial obstacles. These barriers not only restrict educational opportunities but also perpetuate cycles of inequality, stifling the aspirations of those who aspire to change their circumstances. As these students grapple with the weight of socio-economic disadvantage, their potential contributions to society are often overlooked, leaving a gap in diverse voices and perspectives within academia. Consequently, the need for targeted interventions becomes imperative, urging stakeholders to address these inequities and foster inclusive pathways to education. By dismantling these obstacles, we can create a more equitable academic landscape, unlocking the doors to knowledge and empowerment for all.

The barriers to higher education for these students are starkly revealed through three critical factors. Firstly, the prohibitive costs of university entry and the TCAS system — comprising central examination fees of 600 to 1,000 Thai Baht and selection application fees of 100 to 1,000 Thai Baht per round — can escalate significantly with each application and round, burdening students with substantial financial demands. Secondly, even with scholarships, the financial strain of transitioning to university often amounts to 12 times the household income of these students, with expenses ranging from 13,200 to 29,000 Thai Baht for initial fees, including accommodation, insurance, and study materials. Despite available funding, access to these resources is hindered by limited information and restricted application periods, with opportunities constrained to fields with available funds or lower tuition fees. Thirdly, misaligned disbursement schedules can delay financial support potentially until 3 to 5 months after the semester starts, compelling students to pay upfront and risking their educational pursuits. This examination underscores the urgent need for targeted support to bridge the gap between affluent and disadvantaged students, ensuring equitable access to higher education based on potential and interest.

Barriers to Higher Education for Underprivileged and Marginalized Students

Prohibitive Cost — University Entry & TCAS System Fees

  • Central examination fees: 600 – 1,000 Thai Baht
  • Selection application fees: 100 – 1,000 Thai Baht per round
  • Escalating costs per application and round increase financial burden

Financial Strain During Transition 

  • Total Financial Burden
  • Costs: 13,200 – 29,000 Thai Baht for initial fees, including accommodation, insurance, and study materials
  • Financial strain amounts to 12 times the household income
  • Scholarship Accessibility
  • Limited information and restricted application periods
  • Opportunities often limited to specific fields or lower tuition fees

Delayed Financial Support — Disbursement Challenges

  • Support may be delayed by 3 – 5 months
  • Students required to pay upfront
  • Risk of compromising educational pursuits due to financial uncertainty

Need for Targeted Support

  • Bridge the gap between affluent and disadvantaged students
  • Ensure equitable access to higher education based on potential and interest

Addressing these barriers is crucial for achieving fairness and inclusivity in higher education.

Effective intervention in education relies on accurate data and coordinated efforts among various stakeholders. Historically, the lack of comprehensive data on out-of-school and drop-out children and youth hindered effective intervention planning; however, through the integration of educational and civil registration databases, the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) Thailand, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Interior (MOI), revealed that over 1.02 million children aged 3-18 were not enrolled, prompting the cabinet to approve the “Thailand Zero Dropout“ initiative, which, in turn, catalyzed a collaborative effort among 11 agencies — including the MOI, MOE, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Ministry of Labour (MOL), Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), National Health Security Office (NHSO), Professional Qualification Institute (TPQI), and the EEF — to launch four key measures: locating out-of-school youth, providing targeted support, ensuring flexible quality education, and encouraging private sector involvement through a “Learn to Earn” approach. Efforts are now underway in 25 provinces supported by the “Thailand Zero Dropout” application for identifying, planning, and coordinating support while monitoring progress, thus highlighting the crucial role of data sharing and inter-agency collaboration in achieving success.

Thailand Zero Dropout 

  • Data Gap Identification
      • Historical lack of comprehensive data on out-of-school and dropout children;
      • Difficulties in planning and designing effective interventions.
  • Data Integration Effort
      • Collaborator: Equitable Education Fund (EEF) Thailand, Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Interior (MOI);
      • Action: Linking educational and civil registration databases;
      • Outcome: Integration revealing 1.02 million children aged 3-18 not enrolled in the education system, with 394,000 being of compulsory education age.
  • Cabinet Approval
      • Initiative: “Thailand Zero Dropout”;
      • Objective: Address the educational gap and improve intervention effectiveness.
  • Agency Collaboration
      • Involved Agencies: Ministry of Interior (MOI), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Ministry of Labor (MOL), Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), National Health Security Office (NHSO), Professional Qualification Institute (TPQI), Equitable Education Fund (EEF) Thailand.
  • Key Measure
      • Identification and Location — Use integrated data to locate out-of-school children.
      • Tracking, Assistance, Referral, and Support — Coordinate between agencies to address educational, health, welfare, and social needs.
  • Flexible Quality Education — Provide educational opportunities tailored to each child’s potential.
  • Private Sector Involvement Encouragement — Promote a “Learn to Earn” approach, involving private enterprises in education management.
  • Implementation and Monitoring
      • Scope: 25 provinces.
      • Tool: “Thailand Zero Dropout” application.
      • Function: Facilitates identification, planning, coordination, and monitoring of support at local and national levels.
  • Success Factor: Effective Data Sharing  and Agency Collaboration

Aiming to revolutionize educational data management in Thailand, the Information System for Equitable Education (iSEE) offers a powerful tool for tackling disparities in access to education. Developed by the Equitable Education Research Institute (EEFI) in collaboration with Naresuan University, iSEE now operates as iSEE 3.0. This advanced system integrates data from underprivileged and marginalized children and youth with state databases across six ministries and GIS information, addressing issues of data fragmentation and accessibility. By synthesizing data into interactive statistical displays, iSEE 3.0 enhances collaboration and understanding of educational disparities. Reflecting its transformative potential, iSEE aggregates data across educational sectors and supports national strategies and policies aimed at tackling educational inequities. The system’s data guides the allocation of over 6 billion Thai Baht annually, facilitating precise resource distribution. At provincial and school levels, it aids in planning and integrating support for disadvantaged students, addressing needs in education, health, and behavior. Through meticulous statistical analysis of historical data from 2020 to the present, the EEF identifies high-risk areas requiring urgent intervention. Crucially, this analysis reveals that in regions with the highest number of impoverished students, poverty often correlates with economic hardship or geographic isolation. Consequently, these insights drive targeted discussions on resource allocation and policy recommendations, showcasing the system’s capacity to deliver impactful, localized solutions.

iSEE 3.0 Transforming Data into Power

Development & Evolution

  • Initial Concept: Created by EEFI and Naresuan University.
  • Objective: Resolve data fragmentation and accessibility issues.
  • Current Version: iSEE 3.0 – Integrated diverse data sources.

Data Integration

  • Sources:
  • Individual data from marginalized children.
  • State databases (six ministries).
  • GIS information.
  • Outcome: Interactive statistical displays.

System Functionality

  • Data Aggregation: Merge data from educational sectors.
  • Purpose: Highlight and address educational disparities.

Analytical Capability

  • Evaluation: Assess educational inequality using iSEE data.
  • Method: Statistical analysis of poverty levels.
  • Scope: Data from 2020 to present, across 77 provinces.

Best Practice

  • Focus: Northern and northeastern provinces with high poverty.
  • Insights: Link between poverty, economic hardship, and isolation.
  • Outcome: Guide targeted resource allocation and policy.

Impact on Policy & Planning

  • National Strategies: Support policies for educational equity.
  • Resource Allocation: Targeted distribution of over 6 billion Thai Baht annually.
  • Local Planning: Enhance support for disadvantaged students.

Potential Localized Solution

  • Goal: Create solutions for regional challenges.
  • Method: Inform discussions on resource and policy adjustments.


Addressing the barriers to higher education for underprivileged and marginalized students in Thailand reveals a multifaceted struggle characterized by prohibitive costs, insufficient financial support, and systemic data fragmentation. Central to this discussion is the recognition of the urgent need for targeted initiatives, such as the Zero Dropout initiative and the iSEE 3.0 system, which harness data integration and inter-agency collaboration to bridge educational disparities. By focusing on actionable insights derived from comprehensive data, these efforts strive to create pathways for equitable access to higher education, ensuring that potential is not dictated by socio-economic status. Ultimately, the synthesis of educational resources, targeted support, and collaborative efforts represents a pivotal shift towards inclusivity in Thailand’s educational landscape.
 As these challenges are thoughtfully addressed, the educational landscape begins to transform, fostering a more inclusive society that nurtures individual potential and strengthens community bonds. The expansion of access to higher education not only empowers marginalized students but also cultivates a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and social cohesion. This gradual evolution suggests a future where equitable education serves as a foundation for sustainable progress, creating opportunities for a more interconnected and harmonious Thailand.

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