Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to study the problems and obstacles,
and solution of Thai Nuns' (Mae Chis) access to education. The sample of this study
consisted of 3 large monasterial residences of Thai Nuns which were divided that Wat
Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit and Wat Chanasongkhram Ratchaworamahawiharn were in
Phra Nakhon District, and Wat Paknam was in Phasricharoen District. Two hundred and
sixty Thai Nuns were selected by random sampling. The research tools were
questionnaire, in-depth interview and focus group meeting.The statistics used in
analyzing the data of questionnaires were average, standard deviation, percentage
and content analysis. The study findings were as follows.
1. The general data of sample showed that most Thai Nuns were single
before becoming nun at a rate of 48.45%. 29.23% of them were over the age of 60.
26.15% of Thai nuns had children before becoming nun. The percentage of the
representative sample staying at Wat Paknam were at 38.46%, passing Dharmma
Scholar Advance Level were at 26.92%, staying in monastery were at 78.46%.
Occupation before becoming nun was farmer to be at 41.54%, and having truly faith
in ordaining for the rest of life were at 33.85%.
2. The opinions of Thai Nuns with regard to the problems and obstacle of
Thai nuns' access to education on the whole had a high level of satisfaction (x
=3.54, S.D.=0.18). When considering each aspect, it found that the aspect of Physical
and Health had a high level of satisfaction (X =3.48, S.D.= 1.02), The aspect of Economy was at moderate level (X =3.26, S.D.=1.52). The aspects of Popularity,
Personal Belief, Family and Society were at high level (X =3.61, S.D.=0.95). The last
aspect was Policy and Law supported by monastery, community and society, had a
high level of satisfaction (X = 3.70, S.D. =0.91).
3. When evaluating the level of opinions regarding the problems and
obstacle of Thai Nuns' access to education, it revealed that the sample had overall
and each aspect of opinions at high level (X = 4.21, S.D.= 0.92). Moreover, classifying
individual aspect, it should first encourage sponsorship for education such as
scholarship and accommodation. The next aspects were to encouraging and
supporting individual Thai Nuns (X = 4.27, S.D.= 1.11), disciplines, regulation and Law
relating to monastic education (x = 4.27, S.D.=1.12) and educational opportunities
given by related organization or association (x = 4.11, S.D.= 0.99)
4. Besides, the sample gave the additional suggestion at the rate of 28.85
9. It reflected the problems and obstacles including solution of Thai Nuns' access to
education in each aspect which were Health, Age, and financial fund. In addition, it
included the aspect of being interested to practice the dharma, and disunity of Thai
Nuns Association.The solutions of Thai Nuns' access to education were revealed such
as to revise the discipline, regulation and law concerned, to enhance the support
related to education, to establish organization to take responsibility for education of
Thai Nuns and to provide the support of the individual Thai Nuns' learning.
5. From indepth interview, it is found that thai Nuns (Mae chis), the Nuns
are of more opportunity and support to study in the higher education
managed by the two monks universities and the Sangha Council. During the past
10 years, some nuns were of the education up to the Doctorate Degrees. This
point is in compliance with the quantitative data. The young aged nuns who are
interested in further studying at the level of higher education have been
supported at the types of the educational funds, but it can not deny that there is
still the inequality among the ordained people of different sexes as the Sangha has
received the support of money and other factors, no matter whether it is the
residence,the giving of the educational fun and the acception of the success in the
study of Pali Language. One main problem is that the member of the Thai nun is less, and most of them were ordained at the ages of 60 years and more than 60
years on wards, and thus the status of their bodies were not suitable for the
education.Most of them were ordained for practicing the Dhamma in peace.
Above all, the nuns are in need of the law to accept their status of being the
ordained ones.