Dr Sumalee Sungsri Dr Cholatit Iamsumang International Forum

Dr. Sumalee Sungsri Dr. Cholatit Iamsumang International Forum on Lifelong Learning Policy 11 – 13 March 2009 Tokyo, Japan 1

Literacy in Thailand Literacy has been accepted as a means for human resources development and country development. People who are literate means those who can read and write Thai language for communication. 2

Policy on literacy was introduced since after the Second World War. Literacy will enable Thai people participate in democratic society effectively. 3

Adult Education Division(established 1940) First Period(1940 -1945): Literacy Campaign - 68. 8% adults over 15 years illiterate(6. 8 million) - 1942 the first national literacy campaign project 4

At the first period : Literacy programme include Reading Writing Contents relates to day living situation. 5

Later, only reading and writing was not enough. The programme should include calculating and vocational knowledge in order to let the learners develope their quality of lives. 6

Functional literacy programme was Introduced (1946) Reading Writing Calculating Vocational knowledge 7

Functional Literacy programme : Contents : Agriculture and other occupations Family and Health Economic Role and responsibility of people in democratic society. 8

Media : Work-books compose of separate sheets. each sheet has 2 or 3 words together with pictures excrcise sheets 9

teachers : Volunteer teachers of DNFE Study place : any places in each village eg: temple, one’s household or other places Time : in the evening after work Method : Problem- based teaching 10

1979, Adult Education Division upgraded to be DNFE : various kinds of activities : literacy, basic education, village reading centres. National survey in 1982 : 14. 5% of people over 14 to 50 years of age were illiterate (or about 5. 5 millions) 11

The government (DNFE) set a goal to reduce illiterate from 14. 5% to 10. 5% within 3 years Or to make 1. 5 millions of people literate within 3 years If employ the existed strategy, it takes time and high cost. 12

“Second National Literacy Campaing Project” was introduced. (1982 -1986) Objectives : teach people to read and write let them use literacy skill as a tool for searching knowledge and for developing quality of life 13

Strategy : Identify illiterate people in every village people participation to solve the problem encourage people in the same family, or village teach other one teach one volunteer teachers 14

Special learning work-book was developed teaching took place anywhere and anytime. length of time : 5 – 6 months Receive literacy certificate Every people in every village throughout the country participate the campaign Volunteer teachers received honourary certificate This project was received award from UNESCO 15

Present literacy Programme In the year 1987 DNFE revised all curriculum Functional Literacy curriculum was included in Early Primary education curriculum (Grade 1 -4) Since then illiterate people were taught by this curriculum in 1990 illiterate (15 years and over): 6. 7% or 2. 51 millions. 16

Literacy in LL policy Regarding to Lifelong Learning policy, DNFE introduced and launched a strategic plan or a road map between 2004 - 2008 Increasing literacy rate is one among the main activities. Number of illiterate people over 15 -60 years ~ 3% of population ~ 1. 8 millions (2004) 17

Strategy : DNFE develop a new learning material as a tool for teaching illiterate people. the contents equivalent to contents in Grade 1 to 3 NFE centre at each district identify illiterate people NFE teachers take care of 8 -10 people with the support of community leaders. 18

teaching method : - one by one, small group, big group teach in the evening or free time the length of time for study are different according to each learners background ability Teachers will follow the progress of learners at every period Once they can read and write, they will be tested and given Grade 3 certificate. 19

Those who receive this certificate can continue to upper primary education This strategy is not only employed with people in each community, but also the conscripts and the prisoners 20

A case study of literacy Programme in one Province : Kanchanaburi 21

Kanchanaburi is located in the western past of Thailand Strategy for literacy campaign are : 1) Volunteer teachers of DNFE at district centre survey illiterate people in the area 22

2) Volunteer teachers visit the target group and explain the programme. 3) Volunteer teachers prepare learning materials text-books and exercise-books. 23

4) teachers and learners meet 3 hours a week. 5) learners do exercise in the work – books. 6) Length of time for study depend on ability of each leamer. 24

7) teachers evaluate the progress of learners every week. 8) Once, the teachers are sure that their learners can read and write, they let them do the test. 9) Then the learners will be given a certificate. 25