Bangkok: The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Office of the Basic Education Commission and the Equitable Education Fund, is spearheading the TSQM project aimed at developing "learner competencies" in Thai children, enabling them to grow into their best selves.
According to Thai News Agency, the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) recently organized The Competency Forum: Model Schools for Developing Student Competencies, in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC). Assistant Professor Dr. Linthiporn Warinwacharoj, Assistant Minister of Education, emphasized the critical role of students in education, asserting the forum's significance in preparing youth with the competencies necessary for future challenges in a rapidly evolving world. The Ministry of Education recognizes the need for cooperation from all sectors to cultivate a population capable of thinking critically, solving problems, and collaborating effectively.
The initiative, known as the Teacher and School Quality Movement (TSQM), aligns with the Ministry's direction to support schools in their development without adding extra workloads. Instead, it provides necessary support to help schools improve, aiming for them to become leaders in expanding this initiative to other institutions.
Assistant Professor Dr. Linthiporn further highlighted the Ministry's commitment to support the TSQM project alongside the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) and partner networks. This collaboration aims to prevent student dropouts and ensure flexible educational management, adhering to the Thailand Zero Dropout Plus approach for comprehensive educational inclusion.
Dr. Phuthon Chantahong Punyacharasthamrong, Deputy Secretary-General of OBEC, reiterated that enhancing student quality requires practical implementation in schools. The lessons from model schools in the TSQM project offer valuable insights, demonstrating that Thai schools can achieve self-development with the right tools and support.
Dr. Kraiyas Patrawat, Manager of the EEF, stressed the importance of recognizing each child's potential, regardless of socioeconomic or geographical limitations. The TSQM project, initiated by EEF in 2019, has reached over 1,500 schools across 49 provinces, impacting over 385,000 students and fostering collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to enhance educational quality.
The TSQM initiative is more than a school development project; it represents a movement for changing mindsets and driving educational quality. The Equitable Education Fund (EEF) supports schools in designing their own development paths, facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration to ensure that change is driven from within the schools themselves.