Early childhood education can give a child an important start.
But starting school is only the beginning.
For children growing up in poverty, the years that follow can bring new challenges: education costs, transportation, learning materials, technology, family financial pressure and the risk of falling behind academically.
That is why supporting a child should not stop when they graduate from kindergarten.
A child may successfully complete preschool and enter primary school, but they still need opportunities to learn, develop confidence and remain engaged with education throughout childhood.
For organisations working with vulnerable children, the goal is not simply to get a child through their first years of education.
It is to help them build a foundation for a better future.
Why Early Education Matters
The early years are critical for children’s development.
Children develop language, social skills, emotional skills and early learning abilities during these years.
UNICEF Thailand’s education programme places particular emphasis on foundational learning and skills in the early years, while also recognising the importance of helping young people transition successfully from school into working life.
This means early childhood education is not an isolated stage.
It is the foundation on which later education is built.
A child who develops confidence, communication skills and basic literacy and numeracy in their early years is better positioned to continue learning.
But that foundation needs to be maintained.
What Happens After Kindergarten?
For many children, kindergarten is followed by entry into the Thai government school system.
Mercy Centre’s 17 kindergarten schools are designed to help children make this transition.
Every year, Mercy says its preschool children graduate and move on to First Grade in Thai government schools.
This is an important milestone.
But graduation should not be seen as the end of support.
It is the beginning of another stage.
The Challenges Don’t Disappear
A child leaving kindergarten does not suddenly stop experiencing poverty.
Their family’s financial circumstances may remain difficult.
They may still need:
- School uniforms
- Books
- Stationery
- Transportation
- Internet access
- Learning devices
- Tutoring
- Educational activities
- Food
- Healthcare
In fact, the cost of continuing education can become more complicated as children get older.
A recent UNICEF Thailand survey illustrates the pressure families are facing.
In June 2026, UNICEF and NIDA Poll surveyed 1,227 households with children across Thailand.
More than 6 in 10 households — 61% — said rising living costs had had a great or very severe impact on their household.
The same research found that rising costs were affecting children’s food and education.
More than four in five households with children reported that higher living costs had affected the quality or quantity of food their children eat.
Nearly three-quarters reported increased education-related costs.
For families already living with limited financial resources, additional costs can create difficult choices.
Education Can Become a Household Financial Decision
Imagine a family with limited income.
A child needs a new school uniform.
Another child needs a school book.
The family also needs to pay for transport.
At the same time, food and fuel prices are increasing.
The parents have to make choices.
Do they buy the school materials?
Do they pay the transport costs?
Do they spend the money on food?
Do they delay something until the next payday?
For families living close to the financial edge, these aren’t theoretical questions.
They are everyday decisions.
UNICEF’s 2026 survey found that 52% of surveyed adolescents and young people said their household had reduced education-related spending, including areas such as transport, internet or devices, tutoring, activities and learning materials.
That matters because education increasingly requires more than simply having a place in a classroom.
The Cost of Education Is More Than School Fees
When people think about education, they often think about tuition fees.
But the real cost can include many other things.
1. Transportation
Children need to get to school.
For some families, daily transportation costs can become a significant expense.
2. Uniforms
School uniforms and shoes need replacing as children grow.
3. Learning Materials
Books, notebooks, stationery and other materials can all cost money.
4. Technology
Children increasingly need access to computers, smartphones, internet connections and digital learning resources.
5. Activities
Sports, school trips, extracurricular activities and other experiences may involve additional costs.
6. Food
Children need nutritious food throughout the school day.
7. Time
Parents may also need to reduce working hours or rearrange employment to care for younger children or manage school responsibilities.
These costs can add up.
Thailand Has Made Progress — But Inequality Remains
Thailand has achieved very high enrolment rates at primary level.
But participation and educational outcomes are not equal for every child.
UNICEF has highlighted significant education inequalities affecting disadvantaged communities and children facing additional barriers.
And academic performance remains a concern.
According to UNICEF Thailand’s 2026 analysis of PISA 2022 results, Thai 15-year-olds scored 394 in mathematics, compared with an OECD average of 472.
Only 32% of Thai students reached baseline mathematics proficiency, compared with 69% across OECD countries.
These statistics demonstrate an important point:
Being enrolled in school is not the same as receiving an education that fully equips a child for the future.
Attendance matters.
But so do learning outcomes.
What Happens When Children Fall Behind?
A child who struggles academically can begin to lose confidence.
They may become reluctant to participate.
They may stop asking questions.
They may feel that school is something they are “bad at”.
This can create a cycle.
Poor academic performance can reduce confidence.
Reduced confidence can reduce engagement.
Reduced engagement can lead to further learning difficulties.
And falling further behind can make it increasingly difficult to catch up.
Early intervention therefore matters.
Why Continued Support Is Important
Children don’t develop at the same speed.
Some need additional help with reading.
Others struggle with mathematics.
Some need help with language.
Others need encouragement and confidence-building.
A child who receives support early may be able to overcome a difficulty before it becomes a much larger problem.
This is one reason education programmes need to consider the whole child.
Education Is About More Than Grades
Academic results are important.
But education also develops:
- Communication
- Confidence
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Creativity
- Independence
- Critical thinking
- Social skills
These skills can affect a person’s future opportunities.
Education can help a child understand the world around them and give them the tools to make decisions about their future.
Why Sponsorship Can Matter Beyond Kindergarten
Child sponsorship is sometimes thought of as simply paying for school.
But supporting a child can be much broader than that.
Depending on the programme, support may contribute towards education, food, accommodation, healthcare, learning materials and other needs.
Mercy Centre’s child sponsorship programme is designed to support vulnerable children through their wider needs rather than focusing on education alone.
This matters because children rarely experience problems one at a time.
A child struggling at school may also be experiencing:
- Food insecurity
- Family financial pressure
- Housing instability
- Health problems
- Lack of learning materials
- Emotional difficulties
Addressing some of these barriers can make it easier for children to remain engaged in education.
Mercy Centre’s Education Journey
Mercy Centre began in Bangkok in 1972.
Today, its education programme includes 17 kindergarten schools serving around 1,000 children from disadvantaged communities.
The schools provide more than classroom teaching.
Mercy says children receive educational materials and nutritious meals, while teachers and social workers identify children who need additional support.
The programme is designed to prepare children for their transition into government schools.
That transition represents an important achievement.
But it also raises a broader question:
How do we continue helping children after they leave the kindergarten classroom?
The Importance of a Strong Foundation
Think of education like building a house.
Kindergarten is part of the foundation.
But nobody builds a foundation and then walks away.
The foundation needs walls.
The walls need a roof.
And the entire structure needs maintenance.
Education works in a similar way.
Early childhood learning provides foundational skills.
Primary education develops those skills further.
Secondary education expands knowledge and prepares young people for adulthood.
Vocational education or university can then provide pathways into employment and further specialisation.
Every stage matters.
What Can Donors Do?
Donors can play a role in keeping children connected to education.
Support can help organisations provide:
- Learning materials
- School supplies
- Food
- Educational programmes
- Childcare
- Transportation
- Healthcare
- Safe accommodation
- Additional learning support
The specific use of donations depends on the organisation and its current priorities.
For Mercy Centre, donations help support its broader work with vulnerable children and communities.
Sponsoring a Child Can Provide Ongoing Support
One of the ways supporters can contribute is through child sponsorship.
Sponsorship provides a structured way to support a vulnerable child over time.
Rather than thinking about one school year in isolation, sponsorship encourages donors to think about a child’s longer development.
Learn about sponsoring a child through Mercy Centre
The aim is simple:
Help children have the support they need to keep learning and developing.
Businesses Can Help Too
Education isn’t only a cause for individual donors.
Companies can also contribute.
Corporate support could potentially help fund:
- School equipment
- Classroom renovations
- Learning materials
- Technology
- Food programmes
- Educational activities
- Scholarships
- School improvement projects
Businesses can also contribute expertise.
For example, companies may have employees who can help with:
- IT
- Marketing
- Communications
- Administration
- Fundraising
- Events
- Professional training
The right partnership can provide both financial and practical support.
Volunteering Can Support Education
Money isn’t the only way to help.
People can also contribute their time and skills.
Mercy Centre offers volunteering opportunities connected with areas including education, administration, fundraising, communications and other activities.
Explore volunteering opportunities at Mercy Centre
However, volunteering with children should always be approached responsibly.
Children should never become an opportunity for visitors to create social-media content or personal experiences.
Their privacy, safety and dignity must come first.
Supporting Education Means Thinking Long Term
One of the biggest mistakes in discussions about child poverty is thinking only about immediate needs.
A child needs food today.
But they also need an education that can help them become economically independent in the future.
They need healthcare today.
But they also need the skills to make healthy decisions as adults.
They need protection today.
But they also need confidence and knowledge to navigate the world independently.
This is why child development requires a long-term perspective.
What Should Happen After Kindergarten?
The answer should not simply be:
“The child has graduated, so our job is finished.”
Instead, graduation should be celebrated as what it is:
a beginning.
A child moving from a Mercy kindergarten into a government primary school is taking an important step.
But the child’s circumstances don’t necessarily change overnight.
Their family may still struggle.
Their community may still face poverty.
Their education may still require additional support.
And their future still depends on what happens during the years ahead.
Every Year of Education Matters
The earlier a child receives support, the stronger their educational foundation can become.
But support should not stop at age six.
Children need opportunities throughout childhood.
They need to keep learning.
They need encouragement when school becomes difficult.
They need access to resources.
They need adults who believe they can succeed.
And they need pathways towards further education, employment and independence.
How You Can Help a Child Continue Learning
There are several practical ways you can support children in Thailand.
1. Sponsor a Child
Provide ongoing support towards the needs of a vulnerable child.
2. Donate
Support Mercy Centre’s wider education and child-protection programmes.
3. Volunteer
Share your time or professional skills.
4. Support a School
Businesses and organisations can explore opportunities to support education projects and school programmes.
5. Share the Message
You don’t always need money to make a difference.
Sharing reliable information about child poverty, education and responsible giving can help more people understand the challenges facing vulnerable children.
Education Should Be a Journey, Not a Single Event
A child doesn’t stop needing support simply because they have graduated from kindergarten.
The challenges of childhood continue to evolve.
So should the support around them.
At Mercy Centre, early childhood education provides a starting point for children growing up in some of Bangkok’s most disadvantaged communities.
The organisation’s 17 schools serve around 1,000 children and provide educational materials, meals and support designed to help children transition into mainstream education.
But the wider challenge remains much bigger.
Thailand’s children are growing up at a time when household costs are placing additional pressure on families. UNICEF’s 2026 research found that rising living costs are already affecting food and education decisions for many households.
That is why continuing to support children matters.
Kindergarten can open the door.
Education can help a child walk through it.
And with sustained support, that journey can lead towards greater opportunity, independence and a brighter future.
Help a Child Take the Next Step
You can help provide children with opportunities to learn, grow and develop.
Sponsor a Child with Mercy Centre
Every child deserves more than a good start.
They deserve the opportunity to keep going.
Sources and Further Reading
- Mercy Centre — Schools — Current information on Mercy Centre’s 17 schools and nearly 1,000 students.
- Mercy Centre — About HDF/Mercy Centre — Background on the organisation’s work with vulnerable children.
- UNICEF Thailand — Rising Living Costs and Families with Children — 2026 household survey on food, education and cost-of-living pressures.
- UNICEF Thailand — Education Programme — UNICEF’s approach to foundational learning and equitable education.
- UNICEF Thailand — Fix Thailand’s Education Before It’s Too Late — Education outcomes and PISA 2022 statistics.