Abstract:
To study: 1) fundamental data of Wat yai Tonpho Community School, 2) fundamental data of Tonpho community, 3) the relationship between Wat Yai Tonpho Community School and local community, and 4) how the community participate in local curriculum development. the population was persons in the school and the community. Data were collected by interviewing and observing school staff and community people; studying the school and community documents; and having students to fill out the questionnaires. Data were analyzed by means of content analysis, inductive analysis, frequency distribution and percentage. The research results revealed that most community people were middle class, living by catching prawns. They were extended families and still sustained their own culture and old custom. The community had the resources which were essential to the teaching and learning process. Most of the community people willingly participated in local activities. Formal leaders didn't have any policy or distinct work on education while informal leaders were highly accepted and respected from the community people. The problems of this community were drug addict, public land invasion and insufficient income. Wat Yai Tonpho Community School offered education from kindergarten up to Grade 6. There were administrators and teachers totally 32 persons, and 811 students. Most teaches still employed content-oriented instruction. The school used to develop local curriculum. Teachers had the conflict in personnel issues; however, they co-operated to do the school and community activities. The school had the problems relating to students, staff, instruction and school management. Most people in both community and school needed to develop a local curriculum on "basketry" in order to conserve their culture and custom, and to help students be able to earn their livings in the future. Furthermore, both community and school had the readiness in developing this local curriculum. The school and the community had the good relationship and regulary helped each other in the activities. Regarding the ways to involve the community to participate in local curriculum development, school had to play the important role in encouraging the community members to involve in thinking, doing and planing the school activities. The community leaders should inform the community people to understand and realize how important to participate in local curriculum development and teaching learning process.