Hemaraj and Schools Take Big Step Forward for Holistic Learning Approach

As part of Adopt-A-School project, the “Train the Trainers” primary teachers training programme would encourage the betterment of education in Eastern Seaboard

Bangkok, 17 March 2010 – Thailand’s leading industrial estate developer Hemaraj Land And Development Public Company Limited, in collaboration with AMCHAM Thailand Charitable Foundation (ATCF), recently held a seminar and exhibition on “Holistic Learning Approach” at ESIE Plaza 1, Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate, Rayong. Jointly presiding over the opening were Mr Thongchai Munkong, Director of Rayong Educational Service Office Area 1, together with Mr Nattaset Posrithong, Director of Chonburi Educational Service Office Area 3.

The event was organized to complement the “Train the Trainers” primary teachers training programme. It featured six rural schools in Rayong and Chonburi participating in a pilot project under this initiative, sharing what they have learnt, progress and achievements with others within the areas.

The “Train the Trainers” programme is destined to disseminate the educational innovation and best practice of Lamplaimat Pattana School, which has been certified for outstanding performance and praised by local and international education evaluation agencies. Started in 2008, this training programme seeks to develop teachers with skills and abilities to teach efficiently and get the most of limited educational resources. Teachers’ ability to manage student-centered classrooms, where students are encouraged to think and express themselves rather than memorizing and repeating traditionally teacher-directed lessons, is a major focus in the programme.

During the past two years, education administrators and primary school teachers from around 40 schools located surrounding Hemaraj’s industrial estates in Rayong and Chonburi were taken on field trips to Lamplaimat Pattana School in Buriram, and participated in a series of workshops and seminars, to create greater understanding of teaching principles and practices according to the new educational approach.

The pilot project under this programme has been completed successfully with six schools, including Watmapchalood School, Nikom 2 School, Banmaenumkoo School, Bannongrai School, Banphansadethnai School and Watweluwanaram School, chosen as model schools. These schools have translated what they learnt from trainings and field trips into holistic teaching/learning plans, and put them to selected classrooms for the ‘try and test’ process.

Exhibits and presentations at the Train the Trainers seminar and exhibition include the six model schools’ project details, administration strategies, and useful experiences they got from the last semester. Students’ work under the project were also on display.

The seminar also includes demo classrooms conducted by teachers from Lamplaimat Pattana School for on-site trainings tailored to second-year preschool and fifth-year primary school teachers. The event ends with the recruitment of more schools into 2010 training scheme which will be continuously supported by Hemaraj and ATCF.

Mr. David Nardone, President & CEO of Hemaraj Land And Development Public Company Limited, said: “The pilot project has got an impressive result. Most participating schools are enthusiastic about continuing their participation and more schools are willing to join. For the academic year 2010, Hemaraj will continue to work closely with Lamplaimat Pattana School to organize seminar on holistic learning approach for about 100-200 teachers from schools within areas around Hemaraj’s Industrial Estate in Rayong and Chonburi.”

“The Lamplaimat Pattana’s education model is significantly relevant to the 2008 Education Plan launched for the first time this year by the Ministry of Education. This training programme is designed to be an active mechanism supporting the Ministry’s educational development effort. For more than a decade, Hemaraj has set itself the target of making a sustainable contribution to developing the country’s education. Our commitment is demonstrated through a range of educational and social service projects, including donations of books and school materials, school infrastructure renovations, student scholarships, and teacher training programmes, for instance,” said Mr. Nardone.