Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA) is spearheading a transformative reform of the education system, with particular focus on rural and under-resourced schools. This initiative aims to modernise learning through collaboration and technology, prioritising student-centred methods.

 

ONESQA’s overhaul moves away from antiquated, burdensome assessments towards a more holistic approach. The focus is on fostering localised academic projects, easing administrative loads, and employing evaluation frameworks to guide development without adding pressure.

 

A leading example in this reform is Wat Ku Kham School, located in the San Pa Tong district of Chiang Mai. Under the leadership of Prakong Piraisangchan, this school has embraced a philosophy of "Learner, Leader, Innovator", focusing on critical thinking and practical problem-solving instead of rote memorisation. This philosophy is built on four key pillars: shared leadership, research and reasoning skills, emotional intelligence, and real-world innovation.

 

Wat Ku Kham, supported by ONESQA and volunteer educators, has transitioned towards international education standards. Director Prakong emphasises that real change emerges from collective efforts rather than individual leadership. "No single leader can reform a school alone -- it requires shared ownership and long-term mentorship," he asserted. In this setting, evaluation guides and supports rather than controls.

 

The school collaborates closely with Chiang Mai University to convert ONESQA's evaluations into comprehensive five-year development plans, which are then broken down into actionable annual strategies by school committees and university partners.

 

Deputy Education Minister Assoc Prof Linthiporn Varinvacharo lauded the school for achieving excellence through local identity and innovation, despite limited resources.

 

Prof Ong-art Naiyapatana, director of ONESQA, suggested these evaluations boost confidence and drive national progress. The education reform isn't limited to schools like Wat Ku Kham. Another success story is the Chiang Mai College of Agriculture and Technology. The college's curriculum addresses the agricultural talent shortage by integrating national certifications and hands-on training in modern technologies like drones and smart farming.

 

Students at the college gain expertise in agricultural practices while also learning to manage digital and physical businesses. Collaborations with private entities, alumni, and international organisations enhance the college's programme diversity.

 

Projects such as Smart Greenhouse sandboxes and creating commercial products like kombucha not only meet sustainability goals but also tap into real market demand.

 

Prof Ong-art highlighted these models as exemplifying how innovation and technology can revitalise education. "These models show that when schools are empowered, even small ones can be engines of national development," he stated.

 

Overall, ONESQA's reform aims to create a more dynamic and responsive education system, leveraging community collaboration and technological integration. By shifting the focus to student growth and continuous improvement, this approach hopes to empower rural schools and equip students with the skills needed for a rapidly changing world.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-04

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

with particular focus on rural and under-resourced schools.

A LONG way to go, starting - I should think - with teachers & headmasters/mistresses. And the usual - in Thailand - issues of corruption ...

Innovation and education doesn't go together in terms of developing teaching

25 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

A LONG way to go, starting - I should think - with teachers & headmasters/mistresses. And the usual - in Thailand - issues of corruption ...

Trying to teach kids with an attention span of around 5 minutes is a very daunting task... I wish them well

1 hour ago, mfd101 said:

A LONG way to go, starting - I should think - with teachers & headmasters/mistresses. And the usual - in Thailand - issues of corruption ...

"A LONG way to go, starting - I should think - with teachers & headmasters/mistresses."

 

Agree, older (most) current teachers, especially headmistresses will fight to the death against children being allowed to speak / ask questions in the classroom.

 

Seen this with my own Thai son, he completed high school in Singapore, a bastian of student centered / 2 way teaching and learning then came back to Thailand and graduated from the 5 year bachelor degree in Education. during work experience hHe tried to get the studentsto talk / ask questions. Other teachers discovered this and they protested strongly to the headmisress 'students cannot speak in class'.

 

Headmistress tried o explain 'this is coming' but other teachers refused to listen and indicated they would never comply. 

 

Headmisress frightened of the 'mob' of other teachers dimissed my son and sent him back to his Thai uni, and they got engry with him for causing a problem. 

There maybe some individual forward thinking Thai headmasters/mistresses out there that manage to do something for their individual school. But in terms of any wide overhaul of the Thai education system, forget it.

 

The old ways are too ingrained, there’s too much self interest in perpetuating the status quo and the education authority, heck ANY Thai authority, has the attention span of a frog. 
 

It’s sad, but it’s true. 

Just how many education "reforms" have they had, in the last 20 years, that I  visited/lived in Thailand 

 

They have a mountain to climb.

 

The vast bulk of any resources will have to go into convincing teachers the change is required and then, two, they have to provide the training for the teachers to achieve these changes

 

People are notoriously resistant to change....and teachers even more so.

I have been hearing the education reform chant for 20 years, complete BS.

 

The majority of teachers would oppose anything that upsets their cosy little government job, there is the problem