Ministry deputy permanent secretary Boonrat Wongsai said the checks would determine if administrative organisations were managing schools properly.

Boonrat chairs the coordination team overseeing the transfer of schools to the local bodies.

Key conditions for transfer include the ability of local organisations to manage schools and the willingness of schools to work under the bodies.

To date, control of 71 schools has been transferred to local administrative bodies.

Boonrat said a panel was evaluating the organisations' management skills. "We expect evaluation results by February 14," he said.

Boonrat said organisations promised to pay teachers an annual two-month salary bonus.

Some teachers prefer to be employed by the ministry. "We are willing to take back teachers who have been transferred along with their schools," Boonrat said.