In Thailand, every young person matters. That commitment to students at risk of dropping out has earned the country an invitation to present its model for inclusive education at
a United Nations meeting in Paris marking the launch of the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report.

The report, entitled “Access and equity: Countdown to 2030,” estimates that more than 273 million children worldwide are not attending school. They face uncertain futures on the margins of society and represent lost potential for the countries in which they live.

“Every child has a light inside. What is missing is not their intention, but the system that allows it to shine,” said Kraiyos Patrawart, managing director of the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), who represented Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region.

“The world is now in the final stretch before 2030, but the chances of achieving quality education are quite slim, given the combined effects of COVID-19, conflicts and economic slowdown,” Kraiyos added.

The year 2030 is the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Quality education is SDG 4, but education is also the foundation for realizing many of
the 17 SDGs.

Kraiyos said Thailand has shifted from a reactive to proactive approach in its efforts to keep children in school and help dropouts return to learning. Educators are adopting early interventions and working to make learning more accessible.

According to Kraiyos, Thailand’s “Zero Dropout Plus” model has drawn attention for integrating real-time data, decentralized actions and multisector collaboration. “From real data to flexible learning, Thailand shows that solutions must be rooted in understanding each child,” he said.

The “Plus” component reflects a preventive approach. Thai education officials say most dropout cases can be avoided, prompting a shift toward stopping children from leaving school in the first place.

The model introduces case managers and personalized care plans to address individual barriers, linking resources from multiple agencies to deliver targeted support. Kraiyos said that since the Zero Dropout Plus model was launched two years ago, about 300,000 children returned to education - roughly 20 to 30 percent of those who had left the school system - representing significant progress.