A Clinton School student is working with a nonprofit organization in Thailand to develop grade school science curriculum through democratic education, a model that allows students and teachers to participate equally in the process.
Clinton School student Eakpot Nimkulrat, a native of Bangkok, partnered with the Mechai Viravaidaya Foundation to develop the curriculum for the Bamboo School, which offers free, private education to rural children in Chonburi province in Eastern Thailand.
The Bamboo School has been implementing the democratic education model for the whole school system this year. It will be the first nonprofit democratic school in Thailand. Democratic education provides opportunities of students and teachers to equally develop the curriculum that serves their needs and ideas.
Nimkulrat is developing the science curriculum by facilitating conversations with the 10th-grade students and teachers in the Bamboo School. The finalized science curriculum will be published by the end of April and be a model for other curriculums in the Bamboo School. Stories from the conversation will be used in school policy in the upcoming semester.
The Mechai Viravaidaya Foundation is developing new educational ideas that shape students as complete individuals—instilling individual morality, promoting happy self-learning, fulfilling student’s potential and promoting good citizenship. Thai education places little emphasis on ideas and creativity skills.
“I hope that this curriculum will provoke the initiative and creativity skills of our students,” said Mechai Viravaidaya, chairman of the Mechai Viravaidaya Foundation. “Our school will be like a tailor that makes the learning and teaching fit individual students.”
Nimkulrat is completing the project for his final field service requirement in the Clinton School’s Master of Public Service degree program. He will graduate from the school in May.
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