For a young child, starting school can be the beginning of an entirely different future.
Education can provide more than reading, writing and mathematics. A good early childhood programme can provide structure, nutritious food, social development, safety, relationships with teachers and preparation for the next stage of education.
But access to early childhood education is not equal for every child.
In Bangkok, UNICEF data shows that early childhood education participation has been a particular challenge. According to Thailand’s 2022 education data, only 58% of children aged 3–4 in Bangkok were attending early childhood education, compared with 75% nationally.
This is one reason community-based education remains important.
At Mercy Centre, more than 1,000 children attend 17 schools serving communities across Bangkok. The schools provide children from disadvantaged families with access to education, nutritious meals and educational materials.
But what exactly does that mean?
17 Schools. More Than 1,000 Children.
Mercy Centre currently operates 17 charity schools across Bangkok, providing early childhood education to more than 1,000 children.
These schools are part of Mercy Centre’s wider approach to supporting vulnerable children.
The organisation describes its work as holistic care and education, combining education with support intended to protect children and improve their opportunities.
This matters because poverty doesn’t affect only a family’s income.
It can influence whether children have access to:
- Early education
- Nutritious food
- Learning materials
- Safe environments
- Healthcare
- Stable housing
- Supportive adults
- Opportunities to continue their education
A school therefore has the potential to become much more than a classroom.
Why Early Childhood Education Matters
The early years are an important period of childhood development.
Children develop language, social, emotional and cognitive skills rapidly during these years.
UNICEF describes early childhood development and pre-primary education as important foundations for children’s future learning. Children who receive quality early education are better positioned to develop the skills needed for school and later life.
That is why access matters.
A child who misses early educational opportunities may begin primary school without the same preparation as another child.
The difference can begin before children even enter Grade 1.
Bangkok’s Early Education Gap
Thailand has made considerable progress in expanding early childhood education.
However, national averages can hide significant differences between regions and communities.
UNICEF’s analysis of Thailand’s education data found that 75% of children aged 3–4 attended early childhood education nationally in 2022.
In Bangkok, the rate was lower.
Only 58% of children aged 3–4 were attending early childhood education according to the same UNICEF analysis.
That means approximately 42% were not attending an early childhood education programme.
UNICEF’s data also shows that the problem isn’t simply about whether Thailand has schools.
There are differences associated with household circumstances, location and socioeconomic conditions.
The Pandemic Had an Impact
The decline in early childhood participation is particularly important when looking at the effect of COVID-19.
Nationally, the proportion of children aged 3–4 attending early childhood education fell from 86% in 2019 to 75% in 2022.
That is an 11-percentage-point decline.
UNICEF also reported a decline in pre-primary learning indicators during the same period.
For children from disadvantaged backgrounds, interruptions to education can be particularly significant.
Getting children back into education is therefore only part of the challenge.
Helping them build the skills and confidence they need to progress is equally important.
What Do Mercy Centre’s Schools Provide?
Mercy Centre says its charity schools provide children with the resources they need to learn, including nutritious meals and educational materials.
This is important because education is not simply about putting a child in a classroom.
A child who is hungry may struggle to concentrate.
A child without learning materials may have fewer opportunities to practise.
A child experiencing instability at home may need additional support.
A child who has fallen behind may need additional encouragement and assistance.
The school environment can therefore play an important role in supporting the whole child.
Nutrition and Education
Food is another important part of a child’s ability to learn.
Children need adequate nutrition for healthy growth and development.
For families experiencing financial hardship, providing a nutritious meal at school can also help reduce some of the pressure on household budgets.
Mercy Centre specifically identifies nutritious meals as part of what it provides through its charity schools.
This illustrates why education programmes can have impacts beyond education itself.
Educational Materials Matter Too
Imagine arriving at school without:
- Books
- Writing materials
- Educational resources
- Appropriate learning materials
These may seem like relatively small things.
But over an entire school year, the absence of basic resources can make learning more difficult.
Mercy Centre’s school programme includes educational materials as part of its support for children.
This means donations can potentially contribute to practical resources that children use in their everyday learning.
Teachers Are at the Heart of the Programme
Schools need more than buildings.
They need teachers.
They need support staff.
They need people who understand children’s development and can create an environment where children feel safe enough to learn.
Mercy Centre says its team of social workers and teachers identifies children who are most in need of support.
That community-based approach is important.
Teachers and social workers can see children regularly.
They can notice changes.
They can identify problems.
And they can connect children and families with additional support where appropriate.
What Happens After Mercy Centre Preschool?
One of the most important milestones in Mercy Centre’s education programme is graduation.
The organisation explains that its preschool children graduate and move on to First Grade in Thai government schools.
This transition is significant.
The goal isn’t simply to keep children in a Mercy Centre classroom.
It is to prepare them for the next stage of their education.
A successful transition into mainstream schooling can give children the opportunity to continue learning within Thailand’s wider education system.
Education as a Bridge
This is one way to think about Mercy Centre’s schools:
They are a bridge.
A bridge between:
Early childhood → Primary education
Disadvantage → Opportunity
Isolation → Community
Uncertainty → A pathway forward
The school itself is not the final destination.
It is part of a child’s journey.
17 Schools Across Bangkok
Operating 17 schools is a significant undertaking.
Each location has its own community.
Each family has its own circumstances.
Each child has individual needs.
This means that a community-based model cannot simply assume that every child requires exactly the same thing.
Some children may need additional educational support.
Some families may need assistance with access to resources.
Some children may need social support.
Others may simply need the opportunity to attend a safe, supportive preschool.
The ability to work within local communities can help organisations understand these differences.
Why Local Community Work Matters
Mercy Centre was founded in 1972 to serve the Khlong Toei community and has developed its work over more than five decades.
That history matters.
Long-term community work isn’t built overnight.
It requires:
- Relationships
- Trust
- Local knowledge
- Teachers
- Social workers
- Families
- Volunteers
- Donors
- Community partners
It also requires continuing financial support.
A school can only operate if the resources exist to keep teachers, facilities and programmes running.
What Does Supporting a School Actually Mean?
When people think about donating to education, they may imagine buying a textbook or paying a school fee.
But supporting education can involve many different things.
It can help provide:
- Learning materials
- Food
- Classroom resources
- Teacher support
- Educational activities
- School facilities
- Social support
- Child protection
- Community programmes
The most important point is that education is a system.
One component cannot work effectively without the others.
More Than 1,000 Children
The number 1,000 can sound abstract.
But behind that number are individual children.
Each child has:
- A name
- A family
- A personality
- Strengths
- Challenges
- Dreams
- Potential
When Mercy Centre says more than 1,000 children attend its 17 schools, that represents more than a statistic.
It represents more than 1,000 opportunities to provide children with a stronger start.
How Donors Can Support Education
There are several ways people can support children through Mercy Centre.
Sponsor a Child
Child sponsorship provides a way for donors to make an ongoing commitment to a child’s education and development.
Learn more about sponsoring a child
Make a Donation
Financial donations can help Mercy Centre continue its education and community programmes.
Volunteer
People with relevant skills and time can also contribute through volunteering.
Volunteering may involve educational support, professional skills, administration, fundraising, communications or other areas depending on the organisation’s current needs.
Why Education Support Still Matters
Thailand has made substantial progress in expanding access to early childhood education.
But the data shows that challenges remain.
In 2022:
- 75% of children aged 3–4 attended early childhood education nationally.
- Bangkok’s rate was approximately 58%.
- National attendance had fallen from 86% in 2019 to 75% in 2022.
- UNICEF estimates that approximately 342,000 children aged 3–4 nationally were not attending early childhood education in the 2022 data.
These numbers demonstrate why early childhood education remains an important issue.
The Bigger Picture
Education alone cannot eliminate poverty.
Families need access to decent employment, healthcare, housing, social protection and other services.
But education can be an important part of the solution.
A child who receives a strong educational foundation has more opportunities to continue learning.
And continuing education can open doors that may otherwise remain closed.
This is why investment in early childhood education matters.
It isn’t simply an investment in a classroom.
It is an investment in a child’s future.
The Work Continues
Mercy Centre’s 17 schools represent one part of a much broader programme supporting vulnerable children in Bangkok.
Today, the organisation reports:
- 17 schools
- More than 1,000 students
- 82 children living in Mercy Homes
- More than 50 years serving the Khlong Toei community
Behind every number is a child.
And behind every child is the possibility of a different future.
How You Can Help
If you believe every child deserves access to education, there are several ways you can contribute.
Sponsor a Child
Help provide ongoing support for a child.
Donate
Help Mercy Centre continue providing education, food, materials and support to children and families.
Volunteer
Share your time or professional skills with Mercy Centre.
A School Can Change a Direction
For a child growing up in poverty, the future can sometimes appear to be determined by circumstances outside their control.
Education can provide another possibility.
A classroom can provide stability.
A teacher can provide encouragement.
A meal can help a child concentrate.
A book can open a new world.
A graduation can mark the beginning of a new stage.
And a community that invests in its children can help create opportunities that last far beyond the school gates.
Mercy Centre’s 17 schools are helping make that opportunity available to more than 1,000 children in Bangkok.
If you would like to become part of that work, you can sponsor a child, make a donation or volunteer with Mercy Centre.
Sources
- Mercy Centre — Schools — current information about the 17 charity schools and 1,000+ students.
- Mercy Centre — Home — current organisation-wide figures and background.
- UNICEF Thailand — Education Fact Sheets 2022 — national and Bangkok early childhood education data.
- UNICEF Thailand — National MICS findings — changes in early childhood education participation between 2019 and 2022.
- UNICEF Thailand — Thailand MICS 2022 — national survey methodology and child-related indicators.