In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Octava Foundation from Singapore and Starfish Education from Thailand have joined forces in the Future School Transformation Program to enhance the educational landscape for Thai children. Both organizations, known for their commitment to creating positive impacts for the public, have come together with a shared vision to maximize the potential of schools through innovative educational practices for the benefit of Thai students.
The Future School Transformation Program, spanning from 2024 to 2026, aims to support and uplift underprivileged children in Thailand by providing capital and professional development to 10 marginalized schools. With a total support amount exceeding 7.5 million Thai Baht, this initiative is set to revolutionize the educational experience for students in these schools.
The program has three primary goals at its core. Firstly, it aims to bolster the 3R Innovation curriculum, emphasizing the importance of reading and writing as fundamental skills for children to excel in all areas of learning. Secondly, the program seeks to cultivate future skills among students, including critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication, as well as social-emotional learning through engaging activities in a Makerspace project. These skills will be assessed using the Starfish Class tool to ensure effective outcomes.
Furthermore, the Future School Transformation Program is dedicated to enhancing the competencies of school leaders in effective school management. Through professional development opportunities focused on sustainable management practices and future skills, school leaders will be equipped with the tools necessary to drive innovation, problem-solving, and community-building within their educational institutions.
The operational areas of the program span across three regions and five provinces in Thailand, encompassing both urban and remote marginalized areas in need of specialized support. The 10 supported schools include a mix of locations, such as Soonrumnumjai School in Bangkok, Wat Don Phutsa School in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, and Ban Huai Uen School in Chiang Rai, among others.
Each of the 10 schools will receive tailored support, including participation in the Future School Leader course for school directors, provision of 3R Innovation teaching materials, funding for Makerspace activities, and professional development opportunities for teachers. Additionally, a team of researchers will conduct ongoing evaluations to measure the impact and progress of the program in various areas, ensuring that the objectives are being met effectively.
The overarching goal of the Future School Transformation Program is to provide every child with access to quality education and empower them to be agents of change in their communities. By enhancing school potential through educational innovation and building the capacities of educators and administrators, this program sets the stage for sustainable and impactful change in the Thai education system. It is a project that holds immense promise and is certainly one to watch and follow closely.
