The overall scores of grade 12 students in the national O-Net test have improved but students are still failing, according to the National Institute of Educational Testing Service (Niets).
This year more than 422,000 grade 12 students took the O-Net test, which measures students' basic knowledge in five key subjects.
Average scores in each subject were under 50. English and mathematics remained the subjects with lowest average scores, 24.98 and 26.59, respectively.
Thai language had the highest average score of 49.36. The results for social studies and general sciences were 39.7 and 33.4 respectively.
When test scores of students at schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission's (Obec) supervision were compared to those of students in university demonstration schools, Niets found students in demonstration schools clearly performed better across all subjects.
University demonstration school students averaged scores of 64.87 in Thai, 46.33 in social studies, 46.19 in English, 45.85 in mathematics and 42.57 in general sciences, while Obec students averaged 49.36 in Thai, 40 in social studies, 24.98 in English, 26.65 in mathematics and 33.55 in general science.
Niets also compared test results based on school location and found a wide gap was evident in English and maths scores between students in urban and rural communities.
According to Niets' figures, students in urban areas, on average, scored 29.11 and 30.48 in English and social studies, while those from rural areas scored 21.87 and 23.66.
Sompong: Scores point to inequality
Niets director Samphan Phanphruek said that even though average O-Net scores for this year are still below 50 in each of the tested subjects, the results in each subject have improved when compared to last year.
Mr Samphan added that Niets will allow students who believe their scores are incorrect to submit a request between Thursday and Saturday for their scores to be re-checked.
O-Net critic Sompong Jitradup said the test results point to inequality and discrepancies in the Thai education system.
The differences are evident in the higher scores obtained by students in urban areas and in university demonstration schools, compared to those from rural areas and Obec schools.
"The low O-Net scores show the Education Ministry's efforts to improve education, despite higher budgets every year, are not yet sufficient," Mr Sompong said.
"Furthermore, we still have a big issue which is the inequality in the education system," he added.
According to the World Bank, the level of knowledge among rural students in Thailand is about three years behind students in urban areas due to the lack of qualified teachers and instructional media to boost learning.
O-Net testing is conducted annually by Niets. All grade 6, 9 and 12 students must complete the test to assess their academic proficiency.
O-Net scores are used for university admission. Two million students take the test each year.
