Homegrown Teacher Scholarship Program, initiated by the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) Thailand, aims to provide higher education opportunities to underprivileged students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and a strong interest in teaching. The project focuses on producing highly qualified teachers who are committed to serving in remote and disadvantaged areas. The main objective is to address the shortage of teachers in these regions by assigning graduates from the Faculty of Education, specializing in early childhood and primary education, to local schools.
To achieve this goal, Homegrown Teacher Scholarship Program supports students throughout their undergraduate studies, offering comprehensive training to develop their professionalism, community engagement skills, and leadership abilities. By equipping these future teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge, the project aims to promote local development and ensure that teachers remain in their assigned schools for longer periods, reducing the issue of frequent teacher transfers.
In 2022, the EEF provided support for the training and development of high-quality teachers tailored to the specific needs of schools in remote areas. This marked the third year of the project, during which 860+ underprivileged students in Grade 6 or equivalent were selected to pursue tertiary education in early childhood and primary education through the program. The fourth round of scholarships is actively recruiting and preparing 320+ students who show potential for success in their education and a deep understanding of the curricula and community context of target schools. Upon graduation, these students will be appointed as teachers in their respective schools.
The EEF collaborates with various ministries and agencies to develop a new generation of teachers within a closed system, focusing on transformative changes throughout the teacher production process. This involves developing instructional management processes in teacher training and development institutions, enabling them to design curricula that cater to the specific needs of remote destination schools. Simultaneously, models are being developed to improve the quality and effectiveness of newly appointed teachers. Scholarship recipients receive support and skill development through capacity-building activities while studying in educational institutions and residing in university dormitories.
Scholarship recipients participate in diverse capacity-building activities to equip them with the necessary qualities to work in small-sized schools in remote areas and foster effective collaboration with communities. These activities promote independent learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking, shaping scholarship recipients into leading students capable of becoming future leaders within the 11 teacher training and development institutions associated with 699 target schools. These leading students serve as role models and sources of inspiration for their peers and younger generations, encouraging their participation in the project.
The EEF also supports an evaluation process that improves teacher training and development systems within educational institutions. Through the whole-school approach, teacher scholarship recipients gain practical experiences and engage in teaching practices in target schools, enhancing their knowledge and innovative skills. This empowers teachers, administrators, and education personnel in remote destination schools to manage student learning and create an optimal learning environment effectively. Ultimately, this leads to the development of high-quality teachers and curricula.
The selection process for teacher training and development institutions is as crucial as selecting potential teachers. The EEF selects institutions from nationwide universities offering early childhood and primary education programs, ensuring they are located in the same regions as the remote destination schools where scholarship recipients will be assigned. These institutions actively participate in curriculum development, tailored to the unique contexts of each community while providing suitable dormitory accommodations and practical support.
Currently, 328 first-generation recipients of the Homegrown Teacher Scholarship Program are undergoing teaching internships and engaging in community development activities in remote areas. It is expected that these recipients will complete their studies in 2023 and officially become government teachers in 2024. They will be assigned to 281 destination schools across 44 provinces in Thailand.
Homegrown Teacher Scholarship Program represents an innovative approach to teacher training and development that aims to address educational disparities and teacher shortages in remote areas. By providing educational opportunities to underprivileged youth and cultivating a new generation of teachers, the project seeks to enhance the development of students, schools, communities, and Thailand’s education system as a whole, promoting lasting equity.
Source: Equitable Education Fund. (2022). Annual Report.
https://www.eef.or.th/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/oiteef2023-O13.pdf
