Sriracha: Three renowned private schools join forces with P.W. (Primary School for Educational Administration) to revolutionize Thai classrooms, propelling students towards becoming "innovators and global citizens" using the GPAS 5 Steps. As the world changes too rapidly for Thai children to survive through rote memorization, the Thai education system must undergo a major transformation! Three leading private schools in Sriracha - Darasamut Sriracha School, Preechanusasan School, and Prasertsuk School - have joined forces with the Institute for Academic Quality Development (IAQD) in a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This collaboration aims to transform Thai classrooms with the innovative 'GPAS 5 Steps' system, empowering Thai children to 'think critically, act effectively, and create,' preparing them to become 'global citizens' in the 21st century. This partnership is more than just signing documents; it's a declaration of war against a rote learning education system and a crucial signal of a tran sition to the classroom of the future, where children learn not just for exams, but for 'real-life skills.'
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Saksin Rojnasranrom, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Academic Quality Development (IAQD), revealed that private schools have high potential to drive change because they are agile and truly focused on quality. This collaboration will use the 'GPAS 5 Steps Systemic Thinking Process' as a core element in developing both teachers and students. 'We don't need children who are good at memorizing, but children who can think, analyze, and create innovations themselves.' GPAS 5 Steps will transform classrooms from spaces for listening to spaces for 'thinking, doing, and creating' through Active Learning, Backward Design learning, and authentic assessment that sees the holistic potential of students, not just test scores. It also promotes the concept of 'multiple intelligences' to help children discover their identity, understand their self-worth, and use their potential to truly benefit society.
Dr. Pichet Phophakdee, Secretary-General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), delivered a special lecture on the topic of "Perspectives, Directions, and Policies on Basic Education: Cultivating Thinking Habits through Innovative Learning." He emphasized that the direction of modern Thai education must shift from "teaching for rote memorization" to "cultivating thinking habits." "What Thai children need is not just answers on exams, but thinking skills that will stay with them throughout their lives." The GPAS 5 Steps are a crucial tool for fostering observation, analytical thinking, planning, and self-regulation-fundamentals for quality individuals in the future. He also stressed the importance of empowering "innovative teachers" to become coaches capable of guiding students in creating real-world projects and innovations.
Father Dr. Luechai Chanpo, Director of Darasamut Sriracha School, stated that this collaboration reflects Thailand's ability to develop learning processes suited to the context of Thai children. He believes that by using Thai learning methods with Thai children, they will be able to think for themselves, act independently, and take pride in their own work, leading to the creation of new innovations. "When children think and act for themselves, they won't feel outdated, but will feel valuable and capable of creating new things for the world." He also added that the role of modern teachers should not be merely that of instructors, but rather as "coaches" who help children dare to think, dare to act, and dare to express themselves, ultimately developing real projects and innovations.
This collaboration will run for three years, encompassing the development of educational personnel from all three schools to create profound and sustainable change at the classroom level. It is being watched closely as a potential 'model for Thai educational reform,' building a strong academic network that connects the public and private sectors. The event included special lectures, a visit to the digital media library and active learning innovations, and a knowledge-sharing forum with leading education experts from across the country, attracting significant interest from administrators, teachers, and educational personnel. Thai education may be at a 'crucial turning point,' and the key question is not 'what do children remember?' but 'how will Thai children think, create, and change the world?