Guidelines and Legal Measures to Promote and Supervise Lifelong Learning for Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) study concepts and theories in terms of monitoring and supporting. 2) identify the international guidelines from the United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for promoting lifelong learning. 3) study legal measures which were supporting and regulatory law from Finland, Korea and Japan. 4) study the limitations of the drafting of the lifelong learning act in Thailand. 5) analyze and suggest the appropriate legal measures to support and regulatory Law in Thailand. This research was qualitative research which collected the data from documents search from Finland, Republic of Korea and Japan in order to compare with a limitation of a drafting of lifelong learning act in Thailand. Moreover, 10 key informants were divided into 3 groups, were conducted by in depth interview, namely the academic experts from both educational and law, a group of representatives from relevant government agencies and a group of public people.

The results showed that 1) Lifelong learning is essential for individuals, societies, and states. Lifelong learning is a type of human right; therefore, it is the duty of a state to appropriately certify and enact laws to create systems and structures of lifelong learning within the mission of participation. Moreover, there should be decentralized local governance in order to respond to basic human needs and increase a type of public participation. 2) UNESCO is playing an important role in lifelong learning. Apparently, the guidelines are designed to be used in order to ensure equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. 3) The Japanese approach to lifelong learning emphasizes decentralization to local governments. The meantime, the participation of private sectors drives career-based education to set the direction of lifelong learning. The Republic of Korea has direct authority through a state agency to set lifelong learning management under public participation. Furthermore, a Korean state agency also provides the qualification system, which provides practical opportunities to be included in the qualification system. In Finland, the state is the main operator by means of budgeting and engaging with sub-level entities such as schools. Additionally, Finland disseminates information on educational services to the public regularly. 4) The Draft of the Learning Promotion Act B.E. .... lacks the necessary measures to promote and supervise people's lifelong learning. 5) The researcher suggested that the Draft of the Learning Promotion Act B.E. should be revised in terms of learning patterns, the use of the public domain to promote lifelong learning, the establishment of lifelong learning counselors in the sub-district, the criteria for participation of proactive network partners, and other policy measures. These will lead to appropriate and concrete measures to promote and supervise lifelong learning.