Factors Influencing High Academic Achievement Of Stateless Migrant Children In Tak Province, Thailand

Abstract

It is estimated that 200,000 stateless migrant children are in Thailand. These children lead very hard lives because of their familys’ socioeconomic disadvantages and the limitations of legal citizenship rights. Due to the legal human rights obligation, and the hope that education will turn migrant children into strong human capital for Thailand, the Thai government allows both registered and unregistered migrant children to access Royal Thai Government Schools. Although these children are exposed to significant threats, some of them have good academic achievement.The aim of this multiple-case study was to study 5 factors: family, individual, school/teacher, peer group, and community / culture (which influenced the academic achievement of 6 migrant children who are studying in grade 6 in 2 Royal Thai Government Schools in Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand.) Interviews and observation were chosen to be used in this study. Six migrant students, six student participants’ carers and their 3 class teachers participated in semi-structured interviews. All student participants were observed while they were learning and taking part in school activities. Data were transcribed. Data analysis for this study followed 5 steps suggested by Creswell (2009); organising and preparing data, reading through all data, coding the data, interrelating theme/description, and interpreting the meaning of theme/ description. The seven themes that emerged were (1) the value of education, (2) parents/guardians as important agents to support their children’s education, (3) individual characteristics contributing to good grades, (4) the impact of peer relationships, (5) healthy relationships with school and teachers, (6) the power of the community, and (7) gratitude as a motivation for a high level of education. The findings of this study contribute to the knowledge in the field of migrant education. Some implications and suggestions for future research emerged from the findings.