Core Economic and Social Indicators of Thailand 2011

knowledge and abilities. It allows the students to explore their needs, areas of interests and attitudes and enables them to meet their appropriate careers. 2 Upper Secondary Level Upper secondary education is a three-year course as a fundamental stage for the students who will proceed to higher education. It also aims to prepare students to meet the labor market and to promote their entrepreneurship skills. There are two streams; vocational-oriented is provided in vocational and technical colleges for the students who are good at skills while academic stream is offered in general education schools for the students who are academically inclined. 33. Higher Education It is a post-secondary education which is divided into three levels; diploma, undergraduate and graduate levels. 1 Diploma Level At the diploma level, schools offer one to four-year courses for the students who have completed upper secondary education. At the end of upper secondary three, the students in vocational stream can enter either vocational institutions or universities to continue their vocational courses for their vocational diploma. On the other hand, the students in academic stream, on obtaining academic certificate can proceed to the colleges and universities to attend either vocational or academic course. The diploma course aims to develop the learners’ knowledge and vocational skills at the semi-skill level and to enable them to initiate their entrepreneurships.