The children's participation in natural farming project : a case study of Ladya natural farming project in Moobann Dek community school Wangdong district, amphur Muang Kanchanaburi province
Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to study children’s participation behavior, the factors affecting children’s participation and the problems, obstacles and approach to children’s paticiption in the Ladya natural farming project, Moobann Dek, Qangkong district, Muang, Kanchanaburi. Utilizing a qualitative approach with three data collection techniques - participant and non-participant observation and in depth interviews, the researcher stayed in the community 15 days for data collection. Twenty informants – the headmaster of the school, 2 adults who direct the project, 7 adults who participate in the project, and 10 children who join in with the project were selected. The analytical induction and typological analysis were employed for data analysis.
The result of this research showed a satisfactory participation behavior of children in the Ladya Natural Farming project, Moobann Dek, which was summized from children’s competencies in participation, the ability to access information and the opportunities to manage the farm. Moreover, the study outcome revealed that utilizing an experiential learning technique, horizontal relationships, a friendly working climate, and equitable sharing of benefits and risk taking are all involved with children’s participation competencies and ability to access the participatory learning opportunities.
The obstacles that decrease children’s participation achievement were uncertainty with allocation f school budget, shortage of experienced teachers. Lack of knowledge, mismatch of project design and low support techniques for enhancing children’s capacity.
According to the findings, it is recommended that the increase of community self-reliance capability, improvement of offers and benefits for teachers, enhancement of the availability and quality of information resources, and reviewing of project design together with application of multiple learning techniques to support
children’s participation will help achieve the expected goals.