In an inspiring venture to uplift Thai education, Octava Foundation and Starfish Education have embarked on a transformative journey through their Future School Transformation Program. This collaboration, which aligns with the shared vision of both nonprofit organizations, aims to harness educational innovations for the holistic benefit of Thai students.
Octava Foundation, based in Singapore, and Starfish Education from Thailand, are joining forces to bring sweeping changes to the education sector in Thailand. Their mutual goal is to create a lasting positive impact on society by enhancing educational opportunities, especially for underprivileged children. The program is set to provide substantial support, totaling over 7.5 million Thai Baht, to ten marginalized schools across Thailand over a three-year period, from 2024 to 2026.
The Future School Transformation Program has set its sights on three primary goals:
- Boosting Basic Literacy Skills: The program emphasizes the vital importance of the 3R Innovation curriculum — reading, writing, and arithmetic. These foundational skills are essential for every child’s continued learning journey.
- Developing Future Skills: To stay ahead in the ever-evolving world, the program encourages the development of future-ready skills. This includes the 4Cs: Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication, alongside Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills. Activities within a Makerspace project and evaluations using the Starfish Class tool help nurture these skills.
- Empowering School Leaders: By providing professional development opportunities, the program aims to equip school leaders with advanced competencies. These include innovative thinking, problem-solving, modern learning techniques, sustainable community building, and establishing effective networks for improving the entire school system. This is achieved through the Future School Leader curriculum.
The program operates across three regions and five provinces, covering both urban and remote areas in need of special assistance:
- Central Region: Bangkok and Ayutthaya
- Western Region: Kanchanaburi
- Northern Region: Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
Ten schools have been selected for support:
- Soonrumnumjai School, Bangkok Province
- Wat Don Phutsa School, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province
- Ban Kong Mong Tha School, Kanchanaburi Province
- Wat Prangkasi School, Kanchanaburi Province
- Ban Huai Suea School, Kanchanaburi Province
- Uthit School of the Forestry Association of Thailand, Kanchanaburi Province
- Ban Huai Kiang School, Chiang Mai Province
- Chaopho Luang Uppatham School, 9 Provinces, Chiang Mai
- Ban Mae Ka School, Chiang Mai Province
- Ban Huai Uen School, Chiang Rai Province
Support for these schools includes:
- Leadership Training: School directors will participate in the Future School Leader course, a 5-week hybrid program designed to broaden their vision through knowledge exchange with leading educators from Thailand and abroad. They will use the acquired insights to implement the Future School Model in their own institutions.
- Educational Resources: Schools will receive 3R Innovation teaching materials to enhance literacy skills. Additionally, funding will be provided for Makerspace activities, complete with assessment tools like the Starfish Class tool to evaluate children’s skills and competencies.
- Professional Development for Teachers: Teachers will benefit from workshops, coaching sessions, and field visits, all aimed at their continuous professional growth. A team of coaches will provide ongoing support and follow-ups.
Moreover, the program includes a rigorous research and evaluation component. Researchers will work alongside the schools, monitoring various aspects such as the effectiveness of the visionary school quality development plans, the strategies based on the Future School Leader Model, and the impacts on students, teachers, and stakeholders.
Ultimately, both Octava Foundation and Starfish Education aspire to ensure that every child has access to quality education and becomes a catalyst for national development. They envision that this program will harness the power of educational innovation to elevate schools’ potential and enhance the capabilities of educators and administrators alike, fostering sustainable change. The Future School Transformation Program is, without doubt, a project to watch closely.
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