BANGKOK – Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday approved an Education Ministry proposal to elevate school safety to a national agenda, following a mass shooting at a secondary school outside Bangkok last week that killed nine people.

The move aims to strengthen prevention and response at educational institutions systematically, protecting children, teachers and education personnel nationwide, said deputy government spokesperson Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn.

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Under a ministry announcement effective immediately, Patdarasm said all schools have been designated "School Safety Zones" and must set up centers for the protection of rights, liberties and safety on their premises, draw up and rehearse emergency response plans, and coordinate with police and other agencies.

In a statement, she said the core of the approach is preventing risk before an incident occurs through strict searches and screening for weapons, illegal items and dangerous objects before entry, alongside mental health support systems covering both the physical and psychological welfare of students, teachers and staff.

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The ministry is working with psychologists from Chulalongkorn University and crisis teams from the Mental Health Department to care for those affected and is preparing "Safe Rooms" for psychological recovery, she added.

For the longer term, the spokesperson noted that the ministry is drafting framework legislation on school safety and will monitor the mental state of those affected, screening for post-traumatic stress disorder at one, three and six months.