Abstract:
This research has two objectives: 1) To analyze worldviews promoting peace both at individual and societal levels in the three southern border provinces, and 2) To study academicians' opinion on directions of educational provision policies relevant to worldviews on peace in the three southern border provinces. Methods of collection data include story telling (narrative method), informal dialogue with 77 informants living in Muang district, Yala province, and 59 essays written by local youths and adults. Opinion on directions of educational provision policies relevant to worldviews on peace in the three southern border provinces is drawn from 18 academicians through EDFR (Ethnographic Delphi Futures Research) technique. The findings can be summarized as follows: Worldviews promoting peace both at individual and societal levels in the three southern border provinces are found in all aspects namely: worldviews on belief, religion and culture, worldviews on politics and administration, social worldviews, economics worldview, educational worldviews, worldviews on nature and environment. In brief, the authentic essence of Thai Muslims' worldviews is profoundly affected by and closely tied with Islam. Religion acts as a mold in forming Thai Muslims' worldviews. Worldviews then function as a prime mover in determining thinking system regarding all aspects of Thai Muslims' life. Education is one of the important factors in linking religious identity and individual's worldviews formulation especially worldviews that promote peace. Directions of educational provision policies relevant to worldviews on peace in the three southern border provinces suggested by academicians are presented under the following topics: 1. Policy making, 2. Essence and content of policies in educational goal, organization, model, management, standard and quality assurance, personel, and resources., 3. Policy implementation, and 4. Short-term policy for solving educational problems. In brief, directions of educational provision policies recommended by academicians are: Management of education must not in any way contradict with people's way of life; Educational policies must be drawn based upon mutual understanding; Educational must help people develop both intellectual and critical thinking abilities so that they can explicate the ideology of peace; Goal of education is to prepare learners to be religiously good person; religious instruction must be for development and living; Future-oriented thinking system together with religious understanding should be emphasized to learner; Education must help people understand one's own mental working process starting from spiritual development for peaceful living with others. These all would lead to peaceful society.