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ecognised before being challenged with new adv<strong>an</strong>ced concepts concerning<br />

photosynthesis. The teacher would then be able to help the students to regenerate<br />

their own ideas <strong>an</strong>d then link them to the new concepts.<br />

2.3) Natural Resources <strong>an</strong>d Environmental Policy of Thail<strong>an</strong>d<br />

Failures in the use of natural resources by industrial development <strong>an</strong>d<br />

making urb<strong>an</strong> communities, have forced the Thai government to establish a policy of<br />

restoring the natural resources <strong>an</strong>d developing the environment (B<strong>an</strong>gkok Post,<br />

2001a). The policy emphasizes improving the quality of natural resources <strong>an</strong>d<br />

biodiversity, to prevent degradation <strong>an</strong>d depletion of natural resources, <strong>an</strong>d to recycle<br />

<strong>an</strong>d reuse the natural resources <strong>an</strong>d bio-diversity in a m<strong>an</strong>ner that is beneficial to the<br />

people’s livelihood (Asia Time Online, 2001; B<strong>an</strong>gkok Post, 2001b). This national<br />

development must be well bal<strong>an</strong>ced <strong>an</strong>d provide a basis for the sustainable economic<br />

<strong>an</strong>d social development of the country. Especially in the B<strong>an</strong>gkok metropolis area,<br />

improving quality of life for the people is being emphasized by providing education<br />

<strong>an</strong>d public health. The people are expected to restore <strong>an</strong>d conserve the environment.<br />

Underst<strong>an</strong>ding pl<strong>an</strong>t conservation for the environment was focused on a<br />

vision of learning science (IPST, 2002), but has not been <strong>an</strong> import<strong>an</strong>t part of the Thai<br />

culture. Encouraging students to apply photosynthesis knowledge for their<br />

environment should be integrated into the teaching strategy.<br />

2.4) Thai Educational Values<br />

The whole culture of learning in Thail<strong>an</strong>d is evolving into a two-tier<br />

system, formal <strong>an</strong>d private, with a consequent shift in what is valued. Thai students<br />

study in a formal educational system with a 6-3-3 year pattern: ages 6-11 in<br />

elementary school, ages 12-14 in junior high school <strong>an</strong>d ages 15-17 in senior high<br />

school. In the elementary classes, most students enjoy studying science <strong>an</strong>d<br />

mathematics. At the high school level, science-oriented students emphasize the<br />

studies of physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, <strong>an</strong>d English <strong>an</strong>d Thai. These<br />

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