Risk Management for Enhancing Quality and Safety in Secondary Schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission

Abstract

          Risk management in Thai secondary schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) is a strategic priority, given that more than 29,000 schools serve over 6.5 million students and nearly half a million teachers. These schools face multifaceted and complex risks, including academic risks reflected in Thailand’s PISA 2022 results, which remain significantly below the OECD average; environmental risks from natural disasters and climate change; social and behavioral risks manifested in bullying and students’ mental health issues; technological and data-related risks associated with the Personal Data Protection Act and cybersecurity threats; as well as learning continuity risks exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This article synthesizes relevant literature and theoretical frameworks, notably ISO 31000, COSO Enterprise Risk Management, and the Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF), and proposes their integration to create a risk management system suitable for the Thai context. A four-step process is recommended, comprising risk identification, risk analysis and evaluation, planning and treatment, and monitoring, review, and communication. The use of a Risk Register is highlighted as a core tool enabling schools to link risks with concrete mitigation measures in a systematic, transparent, and verifiable manner.

          Findings confirm that structured risk management is closely linked to both student learning outcomes and school safety. The synthesis also contributes new knowledge, including: (1) an integrated risk management framework tailored for secondary schools; (2) a holistic classification of risks encompassing academic, environmental, technological, and socio-behavioral dimensions; (3) the elevation of the Risk Register into an organizational culture of proactive management; and (4) the identification of research gaps, such as the development of digital risk management platforms and school-level risk indices. Policy recommendations emphasize the establishment of a national risk management framework, the implementation of school-wide continuity of learning plans, the strengthening of data governance and cybersecurity practices, and the creation of a national education risk information hub. Together, these measures will enable Thai secondary schools to navigate challenges and move toward a safer, more transparent, and sustainable education system.