Education Minister Dapong Ratanasuwan has ordered the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) to study whether it should revive the old system of making students who fail crucial tests repeat their classes.
Gen Dapong said Obec has to weigh the positives and negatives of restoring the old system in primary and secondary schools, as he believes the current system cannot ensure basic educational quality.
"Some students these days move on even though they aren't proficient in writing and reading," he said.
The regulation on repeating classes was abolished several years ago, allowing students to move up to higher classes even if they failed to perform well in some subjects.
Under the current practice, students are required to re-sit tests in a failed subject until they pass.
The minister said under his new plan, students who fail vital tests would be given the opportunity for a re-test first. If they still fail, they will not be allowed to move on to the next level.
However, students at every level will not have to repeat the class because the ministry plans to set up crucial tests only at grade 3, grade 6, and grade 9.
"So, initially only Prathom 3, Prathom 6, and Mathayom 3 will have repeaters. However, more discussion will be needed before a decision is made to implement it," Gen Dapong said.
In addition, Gen Dapong also demanded Obec improve its remedial exam system as failing students at present are only required to take easy extra courses or perform other activities to move up to the next level.
Obec secretary-general Karoon Sakulpradit supported Gen Dapong's idea, saying failing students should not be allowed to move up to the next level by doing nothing.
However, Obec will carefully look at the pros and cons as grade repetition may also lead to psychological impacts on class repeaters.