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THAI WISDOM AND EDUCATION
Broadcasted on Radio
Thailand FM 95.5 & 105.0 MHz
On Saturday 14, July 1999 at 7.00-7.30 a.m
Introduction
Thai wisdom has long been recognized
from the past to present time, both at local and national levels. However,
research findings have shown that there has not been a proper management
of this national heritage in a systematic way. In this connection, section
22 of the National Education Act 1999 has defined the framework for development
of Thai wisdom as an integral part of Thai education system.
Dr. Nantasan Srisalab gives the
information on this matter to Khun Wallapat Sritongsuk as follows:
1. As the Office of the National
Education Commission is now proposing a policy on Thai Wisdom into Thai
education system, could you please tell us a little bit about the background
of this policy?
Answer 1
Lessons from the past national
development have shown that it has not been in line with the Thai way of
life and Thai culture to the extent desired. As a result we have to face
many problems and culminating in crises. Development of public education
follows the line of Western countries. From now on therefore, human development
must be reformed so as to be in harmony with the Thai way of life and Thai
culture. The Thai wisdom we have inherited forms an essential basis for
human development through education reform. Cultural dimension must therefore
be used in development.
Research has shown that formal
education provided in school, considered as process for fine-tuning society,
does not allow the majority of learners to know about the development of
Thai wisdom as much as desired. Moreover, the resource persons who are
capable in transferring that kind of knowledge are not only rarely found
but also in their old ages. Therefore, their knowledge and skills should
be recognized from now on, otherwise they will be extinct when those resource
persons pass away.
However, to establish and promote
Thai Wisdom into Thai education system requires dynamic Wisdom that is
relevant to the way of lives of the people in everyday life. Although certain
efforts have already been taken by some public and private organizations
so far, there is still not enough to encourage the revival of wisdom of
the nation due to an inappropriate of policy making. Therefore, the policy
for promoting Thai Wisdom into education should be strengthen as well as
be more relevant, appropriate, unique and in accordance with the learning
process of people living in both local and urban communities.
2. As we mention about Thai Wisdom,
what exactly is the meaning of this word, and is there any implication
for the sustainable development?
Answer 2
Thai Wisdom means the body of knowledge,
ability, outstanding value and skills of the Thais inherited from experiences
that are respectively preserved and transmitted through generations. Thai
Wisdom is accumulated as a common asset of the nation to help younger generations
solving problem, improving their quality of lives and at the same time,
creating the appropriate balance between their way of lives and their environments.
3. What are the main issues in
the policy for promoting the Thai Wisdom?
The main issues in the policy for
promoting the Thai wisdom are how we can integrate the Thai wisdom into
education system and what are the concrete measures to realize the integration
of Thai wisdom and education.
The National Education Commission
has therefore issued the National Policy for promotion of Thai Wisdom into
Thai education system to be used as a guideline for promotion of Thai wisdom
in Education. The policy consists of the four major plans including the
following:
Plan 1 Integration
of Thai Wisdom into education system. This plan is regarded as a guideline
for promotion of Thai wisdom into education.
Plan 2 Research
on Thai wisdom for educational development. The purpose of the research
is to study in depth the Thai wisdom and role of education to transfer
its content to learning process.
Plan 3 The
honour of the Thai wisdom holder as a wisdom teacher. The wisdom teacher
is regarded as an important teacher who is eligible to teach at both formal
and non-formal institutions.
Plan 4 Management
of Thai wisdom for education. This is very important mechanism to integrate
the Thai wisdom into education through Thai wisdom network.
It is therefore hoped that the
education reform as seen by the Education Act 1999 will be realized through
participation of all concerned including the wisdom holder working heartedly
throughout the Kingdom of Thailand.
National
Education Public Relations Center
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