Policy design for transforming learning systems responsive to future global changes in Thailand 2040

Abstract

In the disruptive world, preparing young people for future global changes is a crucial role for a country. In line with the 20–year National Strategy of Thailand, a policy design on transforming learning systems is significant. The objectives of this research were to design a Thai education vision, Thai people’s qualities; a desired learning system; and a policy on transforming the learning system that will be responsive to the changing world of the future in 2040 using a five-step design thinking process as a research method that was carried out in three main phases. This study employed a qualitative approach. Purposive sampling was used for selecting 30 participants for the interview using the semi-structured interview and 15 participants for a focus group discussion. Observation was conducted for a field study at four case-study schools. The results indicated that a Thai education vision was that the “Thai education system is the leader in changing the lives of learners to be happy and valued, creating a new desired economy and society.” Thai people’s qualities consisted of general and specific learning outcomes. A desired learning system and policy on that learning system focused on creating a new social and economic life that is happy and valued. Implications from this study allow policy makers and practitioners to adopt a new designed policy in implementation at the basic education level. This study will contribute to better insight on how a policy is designed before implementation and how it should be implemented into educational institutions.