A Situational Analysis - UNESCO Bangkok

Through this learning process, youth are empowered to transfer the knowledge back to
their community in an attempt to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture.
To complement this programme, the Thai Education Foundation, has adapted the
Integrated Pest Management approach into a course on ecological systems in rice fields
and vegetable patches, and into a course on organic farming. At present, this course has
been introduced in 49 schools in six provinces, as well as in 20 agricultural colleges across
the country. It has also been adopted by the Office of Non-Formal Education in more than
50 provinces.
ESD in Formal Education
Thailand offers another strong example of integrating ESD into the formal education
system. A national initiative, “Local Science: Research for Empowerment,” was implemented
and supported by the Thailand Research Fund from 2002-2004. The project sought to
increase teacher’s skills in designing and implementing a local science curriculum; provide
an opportunity for teachers and students to work together in the investigation of local
issues; and improve student’s awareness of local science-related issues.
The project was initiated at 47 schools from six provinces in Thailand. Four thematic areas
– natural resources, environment, vocational skills, and local wisdom and culture – were
chosen, and participants from the schools were divided into thematic groups. Each group
developed a research topic and approach called “curriculum profiling” that would fit their
local environments and communities.
Teachers explored various sources of information with their students to gain a thorough
understanding of the topic that he or she had chosen. The results were presented at a
science fair in Bangkok in 2004, and the participating teachers became more confident
and competent in designing effective curriculum.
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