Abstract:
The purposes of the research were to study the operation of model schools of the sufficiency economy philosophy and investigate factors affecting their operation. The study employed a qualitative research with multicase study approach for two primary schools within and outside urban area.The research data were collected by participatory and non-participatory observations, formal and informal interviews, in-depth interviews, group discussion, and analyzing related documents. The data were then analyzed using a comparative analysis approach. The research results were as follows: 1. The operations of the two pilot schools were studied in 4 main aspects. For the school management aspect, it was found that administrative staffs of both schools possessed knowledge and vision on school management. Administrative staffs of within area school had experiences on sufficiency economy philosophy and provided opportunities for all teachers to participate actively in the school operation, while outside urban area school concentrated more on quality management system. For the curriculum development aspect, within area school integrated the sufficiency economy philosophy concept to some of the subjects taught at school, while outside urban area school integrated the learning source called Resort of Learning to every subject. For the student activities aspect, within area school focused its activities on ethic, while outside urban area school provided various learning sources and allowed students to learn based on their skills and interests. For the human development aspect, within area school provided opportunities for teachers to participate in trainings related to sufficiency economy philosophy, while teachers at outside urban area school usually seek for new knowledge and information by themselves. 2. Similar supporting factors found in both schools included leadership skills of the administrative staffs and active participation of staffs in the school operation. 3. Obstacle found at within area school was that teachers had to adjust entire teaching plan to be in consistent with the sufficiency economy philosophy concept. At outside urban area school it took quite some time to raise awareness on the sufficiency economy philosophy among students.