Yala:Yala is actively transforming its education system with the aim of nurturing a new generation of thinkers and innovators to boost the economy of the southern border provinces. This initiative is part of a broader mission to revamp education and leverage local resources for economic development.
According to Thai News Agency, the Institute for Academic Quality Development (IAQD), in collaboration with a network of private Islamic schools, has organized a project titled "Transforming Classrooms with Active Learning through the GPAS 5 Steps Systemic Higher-Order Thinking Process" at Thamawittaya Foundation School in Yala Province. The initiative has drawn participation from over 400 administrators and teachers, emphasizing the need for educational innovation in the region.
Mr. Veerapat Bunditrik, Deputy Governor of Yala Province, highlighted that Yala is one of the eight provinces designated as an educational innovation zone. This designation underscores the importance of training teachers to foster analytical and practical thinking skills among students, thereby laying a crucial foundation for their futures. Dr. Saksin Rojnasranrom, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PWA, pointed out the challenges in Thai education, as reflected in PISA assessment results, stressing the transition from rote memorization to knowledge creation and innovation.
In the southern border provinces, rich in resources such as rubber and fisheries, early training in innovation skills can enable children to add value to these resources, contributing to regional economic growth. The project aims to improve educational quality in the five southern border provinces more rapidly than the projected three-year timeframe, driven by the genuine interest of local educators.
Mr. Amin Kadaza, Director of the Private Education Office of Yala Province, emphasized that the quality of education hinges on teachers adopting proactive learning methods. Dr. Muhammad Ritwan Lehnu, President of the Association of Private Islamic Schools in Yala Province, noted the enthusiasm for new learning methods, particularly digital technology, which is being integrated into teaching practices.
This transformative effort seeks not only to train teachers but to fundamentally shift educational paradigms in southern Thailand, fostering a generation of problem solvers and innovators capable of applying their knowledge to enhance local communities.