Nonformal and Informal Education in Thailand

Abstract

In Thailand, before any kind of education was formally introduced, education or learning existed mainly in the form of informal learning. In addition, some forms of informally organized nonformal education also existed. In 1940, the Division of Adult Education was established within the Ministry of Education to look after nonformal education which was called at that time adult education. The main purpose of the latter in that period was to provide adults with literacy skills coupled with knowledge and understanding about citizen roles in a democratic society. Later on the division was upgraded to become the Department of Non-Formal Education, and the scope of responsibilities was extended to serve all after compulsory school-age people, including adults. When the National Education Act, 1999, which focused on lifelong education, was promulgated, all types of education were recognized as main components of lifelong education: formal education, nonformal education, and informal education. This chapter provides readers with the details of both nonformal and informal education in Thailand. It begins with the definition and concept of nonformal and informal education and non-formal and informal education as components of lifelong education. Then discussed is the evolution and development of nonformal and informal education, including policy implementation and the identification of best practices of nonformal and informal education. The data sources derive from both the documentary search and field studies. The author has synthesized all related information and data together with her own experience working in the field of nonformal and informal education for over 30 years to compose this chapter in order to provide readers with diverse perspectives on nonformal and informal education in Thailand.