Students at Pattaya School No. 5 were taken out of the classroom for some hands-on learning to broaden their experience.
Principal Montri Kanjanaphak organized the Dec. 22 educational project with private companies to teach students outside the classroom and without memorization. The school this year began implementing a “do it yourself” curriculum that stresses creatively and practical experience over book and rote learning.
The day started with the students singing traditional songs and the royal anthem for HM the late King. But they soon got down to more practical matters, working on projects that could turn into home-based businesses.
The projects administered by outside teachers focused on science, technology, mathematics and engineering.
Thai educators believe children learn by memorizing things, but School No. 5 has followed the philosophy that classroom study alone will not get students far – a theory backed by the latest national standardized testing scores, which show Thailand falling even further behind its neighbors.
The school believes in having students partake in recreational activities as another way of developing the brain and knowledge. It also gives an opportunity for students to get creative and find their own solutions to obstacles.
