Management of basic education for ethnic groups in highland and border regions of Thailand

Abstract

     This research: 1) explored information on basic education policy for the ethnic groups in the Thai highland and border areas, 2) identified factors that influence the education policy for ethnic groups, and 3) provided a mechanism and process of basic education for ethnic groups in the Thai highlands and border areas. The research was conducted by studying three variables: ethnic group societies, educational management for ethnic groups, and the formulation of educational policy for ethnic groups. This was a mixed method study. The research findings revealed that the actors for advocacy policy in basic education for ethnic groups consist of: 1) the primary education service area, 2) community, 3) NGOs, 4) scholars, and 5) schools. This study indicated that the provision of basic education policy for ethnic groups must consist of knowledge from communities such as ethnic life styles integrated in the curriculum, and a special education mechanism and process for Thai ethnic groups, including facilitation of ethnic group participation in the abovementioned actors by various means.