On January 30, 2026, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced an acceleration of its “Dust-Free Classroom” initiative, aiming to protect the city’s youngest and most vulnerable residents from the escalating PM2.5 crisis. BMA Spokesperson Mr. Aekvarunyoo Amrapala revealed that the city is on track to achieve 100% coverage for all kindergarten classrooms by the end of the 2026 fiscal year.
Currently, the program has successfully reached over 83% of the 2,196 kindergarten classrooms across the city. To ensure immediate safety, the BMA has established at least one “Safe Zone” room in each of its 437 schools for shared use during peak pollution periods. During a recent inspection at Wat Wimuttayaram School, a designated model for dust response, officials reviewed critical infrastructure, including closed air-filtered classrooms, high-efficiency air purifiers, and real-time monitoring booths. Schools are now using a color-coded flag system to dictate daily activities, with strict protocols in place to cancel outdoor sessions or temporarily close institutions should air quality reach critical levels.
Beyond physical health, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is leveraging this transition to modernize learning under the philosophy that “education is the most worthwhile investment.” The BMA is simultaneously rolling out “Digital Classrooms” using AI technology and the Google for Education platform. Developed alongside experts from Chulalongkorn University, this initiative ensures that even when students are forced indoors, they continue to develop essential 21st-century skills in a safe, technologically advanced environment.
Mr. Aekvarunyoo emphasized that these dual measures, combining environmental safety with digital innovation, are designed to reassure parents that BMA schools remain safe havens. By integrating water curtain systems, increased green spaces, and cutting-edge educational tools, the BMA is building a resilient urban school system that prioritizes student well-being without compromising the quality of education.
#BMASchoolsHaveChanged #DustFreeClassrooms
