School conference in Chiang Mai: Planning the big Open House 2026!

School conference in Chiang Mai: Planning the big Open House 2026!

On October 27, 2025, principals and teachers from 17 provinces in northern Thailand met at the Yupparaj Wittayalai School in Chiang Mai for a meaningful meeting. The event was hosted by Mr. Teodkiat Yamsopha, Director of Chiang Mai Secondary School Education Office. The topics of the session included the organization of the Open House 2026 academic competition. On this occasion, Ms. Supranee Panyana, Principal of Yupparaj Wittayalai School, sat at the table as the chairperson.

A central point of the meeting was the selection of member schools for the year 2026-2027 as well as the decision which school will host the open house event in 2026. The participants received support from Ms. Patcharin Kanwana, an educational consultant, and Ms. Wirachanee Matantang, the center's secretary. The lively participation and commitment of school principals and teachers demonstrated the value of the meeting for the education system in the region.

A look at the educational landscape

The Thai education system, which today has three levels, is administered by the Ministry of Education. According to the Thai constitution, students are entitled to 12 years of free learning, of which 9 years are compulsory. The school period is divided into six years of primary school and six years of secondary school, which are in turn divided into two three-year phases. Preschool education is offered in many places in the form of kindergarten for 2-3 years. However, there are also fee-paying schools and vocational institutions that enable broad training, such as the dual training system that has been set up based on the German model since 1995.

The diversity of schools, from public to international and bilingual institutions, creates a colorful mix in the education system. Institutions regularly participate in events such as the Education Fair organized in cities such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Here students and parents have the opportunity to find out about programs, curricula and school fees. Participation is free and schools often offer special offers and fee discounts to attract visitors, which is a great relief for many families.

The challenges of the education system

However, schools, particularly in rural areas, face challenges. Facilities are often poorly equipped and students have to travel long distances to get to class. There is also the problem of corruption in the education sector - teachers sometimes have to “buy” their employment, which puts a strain on trust in the system.

Nevertheless, much emphasis is placed on the training of teachers, who are trained at universities or through special teacher colleges. To ensure a seamless transition into working life, many schools offer programs that prepare students for the demands of the job market.

Thailand invests around 27% of its gross national product in education, which shows a clear desire to improve the educational situation. Despite the hurdles, education remains a central pillar of Thai society and is continually being reformed to better meet the needs of students.

The session at the Yupparaj Wittayalai School impressively conveyed the teachers' commitment to working together to further develop education in northern Thailand. A good hand in the composition of the member schools and the organization of the Open House 2026 could be the key to success for future generations.

For further details about the event and current developments in the education sector, please visit the following links: Chiang Mai News, ED Fair Asia, and Wikipedia.