Educational Reform in Thailand

Educational ReformIN THAILANDby Kalyakorn Naksompop

Brief History of Educational Reform

Phase I• 1868 by King Rama V• From temples to schools

Phase II• 1973: student uprising• Aim for real democracy

Phase III• 1990 - 1995• Result of GLOBALIZATION &

INTERNATIONALIZATION• To prepare pupils to be able to compete in the

world stage

PHASE IVAfter the Economic Crisis

Started since 1997 and has been ongoing until PRESENT -

Need to resume economic as well as other aspects of the society -

Increase independent analytical thought -

Call for decentralization -

Greater self-reliance and frugality -

Integrate King’s Sufficiency Economy -

~ Royal Speech, 1999 ~

“Sufficiency means moderation, reasonableness, and the need of self-immunity mechanism for sufficient

protection from impact arising from internal and external changes. To

achieve this, an application of knowledge with due consideration

and prudence is essential.”

Best PracticeCULTURAL CULTURAL

AWARENESSAWARENESS

Emphasis on Cultural ContextOwn CultureOwn Culture

• Require all schools, especially those with international or bilingual programs, to learn about Thai culture

• Connect with local communities

• To learn and embrace own identity

LanguageTraditionsOther aspects

Emphasis on Cultural ContextCultural DiversityCultural Diversity

• Bilingual schools• Already started in

Bangkok and some other bigger cities,

such as Chiang Mai

• Diversity helps stimulate the thinking

• Problems:→ Confusion→ lack experience and

understanding of cultural diversity

THANK YOUTHANK YOU……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………