Pattani:The Ministry of Education is focusing efforts in Pattani province to promote Active Learning, aiming to transform Thai students from those who "memorize for exams" to those who "think critically." This initiative seeks to establish a strong foundation for learning, thereby reducing the challenges posed by PISA, O-NET, and entrance exams.
According to Thai News Agency, the Institute for Academic Quality Development (IAQD) is spearheading the Active Learning initiative using the GPAS 5 Steps systemic higher-order thinking process in Pattani. This effort is designed to enhance the learning quality of children in the southern border provinces by overcoming limitations related to location, resources, and traditional teaching methods.
The "Transforming Classrooms with Active Learning using the GPAS 5 Steps Systemic Higher-Order Thinking Process" initiative is a collaboration between IAQD and a network of private Islamic schools in the southern border provinces. It has seen participation from over 500 teachers and educational personnel, with Mr. Akranan Kittinant, Deputy Minister of Education, officiating the opening ceremony.
One of the critical issues highlighted is the reliance on "examinations" to measure the quality of Thai children. Dr. Saksin Rojnasararom, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), emphasized the importance of prioritizing child development over exam preparation. He pointed out that an excessive focus on scores could lead to passive learning, where students memorize information for exams without truly understanding it.
Muhammad Nasiruddin Lehnu, Vice President of the Private School Network in the Southern Border Provinces, expressed that integrating learning that encourages critical thinking with local religious and secular education aligns with Islamic principles. He believes that the participating teachers will drive Active Learning initiatives in their schools.
Dr. Muhammad Haji Te, president of the Association of Private Schools in Pattani Province, noted that while Active Learning has been discussed previously, its accessibility remains limited in private Islamic schools due to budget and equipment constraints. The Foundation for Educational Development's involvement in the area is seen as a valuable opportunity to address these gaps.
Mr. Witiyaslip Sa-a, Director of the Private Education Office of Pattani Province, highlighted the unique multicultural context of education in the southern border provinces. He stressed the importance of monitoring the results of teacher training to ensure effective transformation in teaching methods and improvement in educational quality.
Mr. Masukri Sideh, president of the Association of Private Islamic Schools in Narathiwat Province, suggested that if the GPAS 5 Steps program achieves its goals within three years, it could enhance educational cooperation with neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
This initiative in Pattani is not just about changing teaching methods but questioning the Thai education system's direction. The focus is on moving from "memorizing answers" to "thinking and finding answers," preparing students to independently tackle PISA, O-NET, entrance exams, or real-world problems.