Abstract:
This study aimed to (1) examine the current state of academic administration based on the Four Saṅgahavatthu Principles and (2) explore strategic approaches for applying these principles in school administration under the Office of Khon Kaen Primary Educational Service Area 3. The research employs a mixed-method approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to ensure a comprehensive analysis. For the quantitative research, a structured questionnaire was utilized to collect data from a sample of 293 participants, including school administrators and teachers. The analysis applied percentage, mean, and standard deviation. For the qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine key informants, comprising Buddhist scholars and experienced educators, selected purposively to validate the findings.
The research results were as follows:
1. The overall implementation of academic administration based on the Four Saṅgahavatthu Principles by school administrators under the Office of Khon Kaen Primary Educational Service Area 3 was rated at a high level. Among the four principles, the highest level of implementation was found in Samanattatā (Equality and Fairness in Treatment), followed by Piyavācā (Kind and Encouraging Speech), Atthacariyā (Conduct Beneficial to Others), and Dāna (Generosity and Sharing), respectively.
2. Strategic Guidelines for Academic Administration Based on the Four Saṅgahavatthu Principles: (1) Dāna (Generosity): Administrators provide guidance and constructive advice, inspiring confidence and motivation among teachers and students. (2) Piyavācā (Kind Speech): Encouraging and supportive language is used to stimulate creativity and foster open idea exchange among teachers and students. (3) Atthacariyā (Beneficial Conduct): Teachers and students are encouraged to think outside the box and engage in innovative learning experiences that challenge and inspire intellectual growth. (4) Samanattatā (Equality and Fairness): Administrators create an inclusive learning environment where students with diverse knowledge backgrounds can collaborate and learn together in an open and supportive setting.