BackEarly childhood education management is important because it inculcates essential skills for children’s living. Researches on education management over the past 20 years have shown, that the first 5 years of life “are the critical period to form a foundation of human personality.” The State therefore has to take into consideration early childhood education management and propose an appropriate guidance for implementation. At present, the major organisations responsible for early childhood development are the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Health, and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Securities.
Former Ombudsman, Mr. Boon Thapanadul realized the existing problems of early childhood development and assigned staff to conduct a field investigation in early childhood development centers in the North, Northeast and South of the country (for details see press release in the download section below).
Due to these investigations, it was concluded that early childhood development centers under local administrative organisations cannot perform its tasks effectively due to problems and difficulties concerning the following six aspects:
- Administrative management: Administrative structures and standard are not determined to be implemented in the same way. The Department of Local Administration does not follow-up on their performance evaluation and evaluate teachers’ performance annually.
- Personnel: Teachers do not hold direct early childhood degrees or qualifications and the ratio of personnel in the centers does not suit the number of children.
- Building, environment and safety: Buildings are deteriorated, crowded, confined and insanitary without safety standard and emergency preparedness plan. Furthermore, the budget is inadequate to construct the strong buildings.
- Academic and curriculum activities: There is a lack of educational materials. Teachers do not acquire knowledge and understanding of developing such materials. An academic standard for early childhood development centers of local administrative organisations is not established.
- Participation and support: There is a lack of communication and dissemination between the centers and parents. Therefore, the community participation in supporting the center is ineffective.
- Promotion of early childhood development network: Cooperation between chief of the centers, teachers and caregivers to reach the full potential is not promoted. Committees on early childhood education management and the development of a network are not properly appointed. The selection process of such committee is pursuant to patronage system.
Chief Ombudsman Somsak Suwansujarit realizes the importance of early childhood education management being in conformity with the Constitution and the National Strategy. Recommendations on early childhood education management were proposed to the Cabinet for consideration. The relevant agencies are recommended as follows:
- To accelerate the selection and appointment process of the Early Childhood Development Policy Committee;
- To focus on creating an effective early childhood development plan and database immediately;
- To apply the national standard for early childhood development center as guidelines on operation;
- To specify duties and powers of each relevant agency and promote the integration of works in this area;
- To promote and place an importance on producing and developing early childhood teachers and personnel;
- To promote an integrated collaboration of public agencies, private sectors and civil society as well as an encouragement of participation among all segments of society systematically.
The Ombudsman have moved forward the integrated implementation between public and private sectors to raise the quality and standard of education provision. Significantly, early age children should receive quality education aiming at the full development in 4 aspects – physical, emotional, social and intellectual aspects – in accord with their age. This enables them to enjoy learning and be grown as a good and quality citizen. This will eventually bring the utmost benefits to the society and the country’s development.
To read the full communication of the Office of the Thai Ombudsman, please see the document in the download section down below.
Source: Office of the Ombudsman of Thailand
