Civil Society & 33 Private Organizations Collaborate to Drive Thai Education in Phase 3
CONNEXT ED WORKSHOP 2019 is Organized to Strengthen over 900 School Partners in Achieving their Missions at 4,700 Pracharat Schools Nationwide
Minister of Education Nataphol Teepsuwan, in his capacity as Chief of the Government Sector Working Party, along with the civil society, 33 private organizations, comprising founders and new members of the CONNEXT ED project, have continued the success of education management at Pracharat Schools which is in line with the five key strategies. The project’s success is reflected in the last year students’ academic performance with higher O-Net scores compared to 2017 and the national average. The Minister announced to continue CONNEXT ED and to keep on creating a participatory educational culture in Phase 3 of the project. In addition, the project aims to strengthen the main driving forces that connect principals and teachers of Pracharat Schools. Consequently, the CONNEXT ED WORKSHOP 2019 was held at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao with the objective to prepare more than 900 School Partners before they go on a field work to implement the five strategies at more than 4,700 Pracharat schools nationwide. Plaques of honor were presented to the outstanding organizations for their contributions to the project and cooperation to develop Thai education towards sustainability.
Mr. Nataphol Teepsuwan, Minister of Education, in his capacity as Chief of the Government Sector Working Party, presided over the opening ceremony of the workshop, thanking all organizations for their support to develop Thai education. The Minister said CONNEXT ED had existed before he took office and he would like to continue the project, while at the same time taking it further. The Minister said he intended to solve problems and extend results in order to help accelerate and enhance the collaboration between the government and the private sector.
“As a representative of the public sector and the Minister who has worked for three months, I see opportunities as well as problems. This collaboration gave birth to three important words, which are History, Education Reform, and Miracle. Now everyone is working together to create history for the Thai education reform and makes a miracle happen. CONNEXT ED has proven its practicality and everything it has done is compulsory. Without the education reform, Thailand will not survive. No matter how strong the government is, the private sector always plays an important role in developing education. The Ministry of Education is now focusing on English, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and making changes in teaching by replacing a method that requires students to only memorize their lessons. The ministry still needs cooperation from all sectors to develop schools,” said Mr. Nataphol.
Mr. Suphachai Chearavanont, CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group, in his capacity as Chief of the Private Sector Working Party said, “The private sector is ready to drive the CONNEXT ED project to achieve its objective of developing Thai education sustainably in line with the five key strategies which are the important mechanisms of the private sector to develop education with concrete results. The project’s success is reflected in the academic performance of students participating in the Pracharat School project. The students’ score O-Net last year increased 9.85%. The score is higher, compared to 2017 and the national average. In Phase 3, we have a plan to create digital school reports which can evaluate and display each student’s academic performance. We also have a plan to establish the CONNEXT ED Foundation and an online donation system while expanding our collaboration to other private organizations. Currently, we have 33 organizations and 900 School Partners in the network. All School Partners participated in the CONNEXT ED Workshop 2019 for two days. They learned from experts who would help them develop their leadership potential and share experiences. The workshop prepared them for the field work at more than 4,700 Pracharat Schools nationwide throughout a school year.”
“Let’s imagine Thai society in the 10 or 15 years in the future. How can we transform it into a strong and intellectual society with innovations for a better wellbeing? Changes must start at school because school is the place where we create the future that we want for our children. I would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education for paying attention to education development and going on a field trip to follow up on the project’s progress by himself. The Minister has been attending meetings with us and providing us great support. Moreover, CEOs attending the project play a significant role in driving School Partners and give them moral support. Civil Society as well as academicians also share and help expand the knowledge. The strong collaboration of three major sectors is the key factor the sustainably educational development. As the Minister mentioned, when everyone comes together with the same heart, the success of education reform and the success of CONNEXT ED are created from this same heart. I hope all School Partners not forget their determination since the united heart and mutual goals can really change the education system and Thailand,” Mr. Suphachai concluded.
The Minister of Education, in his capacity as Chief of the Government Sector Working Party, also presented plaques of honor to outstanding organizations in the civil society and the 33 private organizations in the CONNEXT ED project, including the 12 founding members ; Bangkok Bank Plc, Berli Jucker Plc, Central Group, CP All Plc, Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc, Mitrphol Group : Thailand’s sugar business; energy business; and new business groups, PTT Group, Siam Commercial Bank Plc, SCG, Thai Beverage Plc, Thai Union Group Plc, and True Corporation Plc. The other 21 organizations are new members of the project, including Bangchak Corporation Plc, Banpu Plc, Panyapiwat Institute of Management, Enconcept E-Academy, Thai Toshiba Electric Industries, Bang Kadi Industrial Park, BEC World PLC, Slingshot Group Co.,Ltd., EduPark Co.,Ltd., AP Honda Co.,Ltd., Positive Solution Co.,Ltd., S.K. Polymer Co.,Ltd., Bertram (1958) Co,.Ltd., Globish Academia (Thailand) Co.,Ltd., Mac Education Co.,Ltd., Delta Electronics (Thailand) Plc, KV ELECTRONICS Co.,Ltd., L&E Manufacturing Co.,Ltd., Learn Corporation Co.,Ltd., Ek Chai Distribution System Co.,Ltd. (Tesco Lotus), and Western Digital (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.
For organizations interested to participate in CONNEXT ED to drive and develop Thai education, please contact CONNEXT ED team at 02-069-2101 ext. 1003-1004 or Partners.connexted@truecorp.co.th
