Education
Education is well provided by the government in terms of numbers of establishments and is supplemented in the larger cities by the private sector (mostly Catholic schools and international schools). Following the national pattern of education in Thailand, there are primary (elementary) schools in all larger villages and (tambon) capitals, with secondary (high) schools to Grade 12 (approximately age 18) in the district (amphoe) towns. Many other secondary schools provide education only to Grade 9, while some combined schools provide education from Grade 1 through Grade 9. Rural schools are generally less well equipped than the schools in the large towns and cities and the standard of instruction, particularly for the English language, is much lower. Many children of poorer families leave school after Grade 6 (age 12) to work on the farms. A number move to areas of dense or tourist populations to work in the service industry. Many primary schools also operate their own websites and almost all schoolchildren in Isan, at least from junior high school age, are now (2008) largely computer literate for basic programs: they are well adept in the use of word-processing, layout of flyers, brochures and birthday cards, and simple, digital photo enhancement software.
There are 43 (2001) government vocational and polytechnic colleges throughout the region, several specialised training colleges in the private sector, and large colleges of agriculture and nursing in Udon Thani province.
Universities are located in the major cities of Khon Kaen (one of the country's largest), Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, and the smaller provincial capital of Mahasarakham. Some Bangkok-based universities have a small campus in Isan, and Khon Kaen university also maintains a large installation on the outskirts of Nong Khai. For a full list of universities in Isan see the list of universities in Thailand. Most provinces have a government Rajabhat University, formerly Rajabhat Institute, traditionally a teacher training college.
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