The Education Ministry will reinstate the original schedule for the General Aptitude Test (GAT) and the Professional and Academic Aptitude Test (PAT) if the Election Commission sets the official polls date later than Feb 24.

The exams were brought forward from Feb 23-26 to Feb 16-19 on Nov 1, so that 450,000 students eligible to vote could exercise their right unhindered on the expected polling date, Feb 24, drawing protests from students that their preparation time had been reduced.

Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin said on Monday the ministry would consider the issue of reinstating the former exam schedule once the EC locked in a date.

The ministry had the same view as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who earlier told students to wait for the EC’s announcement before protesting.

The minister said he would handle the matter and had already held talks with the Council of University Presidents of Thailand. The CUPT is in charge of setting the dates for GAT and PAT exams and organising the tests.

The minister believed reinstating the original exam dates would not be detrimental to students as it would give them more time to cram.

He had read comments from students on social media after it was reported the election date could be delayed, he said.

Matthayom Sukda 6 students launched a campaign on social media calling for the original schedule for exams to be reinstated after it was disclosed the promised Feb 24 general election would likely be deferred to avoid a clash with activities linked to His Majesty the King’s coronation ceremony.