The Ministry of Education will ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration to allow kindergarten and primary schools to open again on Feb 1, saying that online learning alternatives were not proving to be an adequate alternative.
Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan said he was well aware of the effects of Covid-19 on educational inequality and was worried that children who learned online might have too much free time.
The minister said he had therefore instructed the Office of the Basic Education Commission and relevant units to prioritise making sure that year-end exams are able to go ahead whatever the situation.
However, the Ordinary National Educational Test exam for Prathom 6 and Mathayom 3 students remains cancelled, with the minister reiterating his belief that they are unlikely to provide and accurate reflection of students' abilities due the disruption caused by the pandemic.
Mr Nataphol proposed that schools should open for kindergarten and primary school students, saying this group needs more classroom study.
All schools in the worst-hit 28 provinces across the country have been ordered by the ministry to close until Jan 31.