The good news is the worst of the pandemic seems to be over and most of Thailand's 35,000 schools have returned to normal classes. It should make a huge difference to levels of education, especially among low-income groups who have had little or no access to computers and the internet. 

Susueh, who had previously been supported by Odet during his teacher training has also had good news. He managed to find work teaching at a temple school. He was teaching online from home during the pandemic.

And now that schools have reopened he is teaching onsite. Susueh has also just received his full Thai citizenship papers. This allows him to apply for permanent govt. teaching jobs. He is now hopeful of getting an assistant teachers position at a govt. school. 

Odet continues to support the children in the forest region to the north of Kanchanaburi. Funds for these students are sent to a local forest monk Pra Ajahn Saen, who ensures that it reaches the families. 

A recent story in the Bangkok Post highlights some of the problems faced during the pandemic:

Covid dropouts

The Equitable Education Fund (EEF) found the number of poor students has increased as a result of Covid-19. It found there were 900,000 students living in very poor families as their parents earn less than 1,200 baht a month before the pandemic. That number then jumped to 1.2 million.

The EEF survey also showed that many primary school students upcountry decided to drop out to help support their families.

The poverty they face forces them to become informal workers even though they haven't reached working age, excluding them from state control and social security protection.

These children can barely overcome poverty. Many skip school to work with their parents. Many kids are left with no choice but to drop out. We need both the public and private sector to help provide educational opportunities so they can have a better life.

Bangkok Post 31 March