This recognition led to passage of a comprehensive national educational
reform law in 1999. This act outlined new educational goals for the nation that
included literacy, numeracy, improved language capacity, and IT capabilities as well
as an emphasis on the development of skills in thinking and independent, life-long
learning. The same law initiated structural changes (e.g., decentralization of
administration to local districts) as well as cultural changes (e.g., shift towards
student-centered learning) in the educational system. While these changes parallel
those found in many Western nations, their implementation is an even greater
challenge given the educational traditions of Thailand.
Five years following passage of the educational reform act, observes would
agree that reform in educational practice has lagged well behind political rhetoric.
There is a widespread perception among the Thai public that the impact of these
reforms has yet to reach into schools and classrooms in significant ways or on a
substantial scale. Parents and educators are wondering what it will take to translate
policymakers’ intentions into observable changes in teaching and learning in
classrooms and schools. Moreover, administrators and policymakers are seeking
means by which they can both stimulate local change initiatives and transform
isolated cases of successful innovation into systemic changes.
This paper presents a case study of successful curricular and instructional
innovation in Thailand. The innovation involved a curricular program, Integrated Pest
Management (IPM). This student-centered curriculum models many of the features
highlighted in Thailand’s educational reform such as the student-centered learning
approach, curriculum integration, and involvement of the local community.