From Inequality to Transformation: You Too Can Be an Educational Leader Making a Difference in the Lives of Many Thai Children
“Although Thai students spend more time studying than other countries, many still cannot read." This statement highlights a concerning issue within the Thai education system, which is not exaggerated in the slightest.
Research from various institutions supports this claim. For instance, a survey conducted by the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) in collaboration with the World Bank on individuals aged 15-64 found that the Thai education system lacks efficiency in enhancing the quality of life across multiple dimensions. Specifically, 64.7% of the population falls below the benchmark in life skills, 74.1% are illiterate, many lack digital skills, and 30.3% have substandard emotional and social skills, directly impacting mental health. The lack of essential skills has adverse effects on individuals and the nation, such as an inability to read medication labels, perform financial transactions independently, or pursue further learning. This skill deficit leads to a loss of potential skilled labor, exacerbating economic and quality of life inequalities, all rooted in the “unequal quality of the education system.”
If you recognize the disparities in the education system and their long-term effects on both individual and national levels, it might be time to take action. Become part of the solution to improve Thai education, enhance the quality of life for many through your efforts, and contribute to the overall progress of the country.
Teach For Thailand is committed to reducing educational inequality by creating a “network of leaders” who drive change in classrooms, schools, and various societal sectors. This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4: ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. Through the “Fellowship Program,” you have the chance to engage with educational issues and creatively design solutions over two years in high-need schools, playing the role of a “change leader.”
Challenging environments call for “leaders” who must ‘understand’ the problems before solving them, ‘reach out’ to communities and stakeholders to help address these issues, and ‘develop’ themselves and others simultaneously. After completing the program, the transformation continues, driven by stakeholders and “alumni” who push for educational changes both within and outside the system.
You might discover that you can be a classroom leader who…
..inspires students to read for the first time through engaging and beneficial reading development activities.
..introduces new technologies to expand students’ learning horizons, helping them navigate social media responsibly and use technology to enhance their quality of life.
..creates a “safe space” for students to be heard without judgment, understand individual differences, and foster self-esteem leading to personal transformation.
Because “Education is everyone’s responsibility,” start making a difference through action today with the “Fellowship Program Cohort 11” at: https://tft-fellowship.org until June 16, 2024.
