유네스코를 방문한 숙명인
- 조회수 5066
- 작성자 총관리자
- 보도일자 2010-03-22
17.03.10 Korean students study Community-based Early Childhood Learning in Thailand
Students and a professor from Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, Republic of Korea, recently visited UNESCO Bangkok, and a project site in Thailand to learn about UNESCO supported projects on early childhood and education and Education for Sustainable Development.
Associate professor Dr Shunah Chung of Department of Child Welfare and Child Studies of Sookmyung Women’s University who headed the visit, said the visit to UNESCO Bangkok and toThailand helped to inspire her students and to increase their interest in community-based early childhood education.
“Our students major in child-welfare and child studies and they will be teachers at kindergartens or daycare centers or social-workers at social service institutions. The visit to UNESCO and the community-based sites for early childhood learning in Thailand will further inspire my students and increase their passion to work towards the welfare of children,” said Ms Chung.
UNESCO Bangkok assisted in organizing a study visit to Duang Prateep Foundation for the Korean students to get an insight to the early childhood care at a community level in Thailand.
At the Foundation, the group was welcomed by Khun Sasinan Ninchansiri, Director of Duang Prateep kindergarten and Dr. Supawuth Manochan.
The visit began with the observation of the Klongtoey community which is regarded as the poorest and largest slum area in Bangkok. The students witnessed the actual living condition of children and their families. Then the group observed children’s activities at the kindergarten.
Khun Sasinan explained that this kindergarten is a demonstration kindergarten applying the principles of the Montessori learning system. Children aged from three to six share the same classroom but undertake a variety of activities.
The Foundation provides learning opportunities for poor children and assists the parents in taking care of their children during day time. The Foundation is integrating the community learning centre (CLC) concept to provide various learning opportunities for the empowerment of people within a community, aimed at improving their quality of life, and thus help promote social transformation.
Khun Sasinan said that most of the financial support and material aid comes from the community members themselves. The Foundation also receives donations from visitors
She said that for students who are interested in becoming teachers in the future the first requirement is a teaching certificate. However, she said, willingness to help from the heart is the most important qualification to work in a CLC. She really hopes that the learners at the Foundation will become the future leaders of the community and will contribute their best to develop the community.
Thailand has accumulated valuable experiences in implementing CLCs over a long period. Countries from the Asia-Pacific region as well as from the Arab and African regions often visit Thailand to observe and learn about CLCs in Thailand. UNESCO assists in coordinating such study visits and helps countries to learn from each other’s experience and good practices.
In order to improve quality of CLCs, UNESCO supports Thailand to participate actively in regional projects. These regional projects promote strengthening CLC linkages and networks, life skills through CLCs, integration of HIV and AIDS in CLC activities, etc.
UNESCO is currently supporting Thailand to implement two pilot projects in Ubon Rachathani province; one is to empower the community to apply a rights-based approach through CLCs in Ban Buphai and another one is to integrate people with disabilities in community development and learning opportunities by participating in the activities of CLCs with other learners.
For further details on CLCs, contact i.khanthong@unesco.org.
Written by Intiranee Khanthong and Rojana Manowalailao