The changing role of Home Economics education in primary schools in contemporary Thai society

  • Sumonchat Jaroenkornburi

Western Sydney University thesis: Doctoral thesis

Abstract

This study investigated the changing role of home economics education in primary schools in contemporary Thai society. Two main questions were set to guide the study : What home economics subject matter should be taught in primary schools in contemporary Thai society? How should it be taught? Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were employed. A qualitative research approach was used in collecting data from several sources, including published documents relevant to home economics education in Thai primary schools and those relevant to Thai society during the period 1960-2000; observations of Thai primary school Housework classrooms during the 1997-1998 academic year; and interviews with prominent Thai home economists, primary school principals and Housework teachers, and involved parents of primary school children. A quantitative research approach was used to examine the perceptions of home economics education in Thai primary schools of the Housework teachers, and to examine the lifestyles of Thai primary school children. Expectations about the changing role of home economics education in Thai primary schools were investigated. It was concluded that the role of home economics needs to shift from a technical skills orientation to a practical problem solving emphasis. According to this new role, home economics education in Thai primary schools will not only provide for the children's technical skills but also provide an opportunity to develop a group of life skills, namely- critical thinking, decision making, individual/family resource management, and problem solving. Through the acquisition of these life skills children will be better equipped to manage their everyday life in a rapidly changing Thai society. Finally, based on its major conclusions, the study draws implications for future action by several groups of stakeholders (policy makers, curriculum developers, teacher educators, personnel in schools, and professional associations) required to bring about important changes in home economics education in Thai primary schools
Date of Award2000
Original languageEnglish

Keywords

  • Thai society
  • curriculum
  • perceptions
  • home economics

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