Restructuring the Department of Learning Promotion Towards Proactive Academic Management

Abstract

The Learning Encouragement Act B.E. 2566 (2023), published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on March 19, 2023, marks a significant turning point in the reform of Thailand’s non-formal education system. This legislation repealed the Non-Formal and Informal Education Promotion Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and officially elevated the status of the "Office of Non-Formal and Informal Education (ONIE)" to the "Department of Learning Encouragement (DOLE)" on May 18, 2023, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education. This structural reorganization establishes the Department as a juristic person, providing enhanced administrative agility in managing budgets, resources, and policies. It enables a more comprehensive and efficient approach to non-formal education, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of modern learners. The core mission of the Department is to organize, promote, and support diverse and intensive learning opportunities. This reform serves as a strategic response to the economic, social, and technological transformations of the 21st century. Its primary objective is to build a flexible and accessible learning system that caters to learners of all ages while upholding the values of lifelong learning. Furthermore, it aims to elevate academic administration standards to drive proactive learning missions forward effectively.