Strategies for Policy Formulation and Implementation Concerning the Provision of Tablet PC to Schools

Abstract

The objective of this research, in regard to the provision of tablet computers to Thailand’s schools, using mixed research methods, is to study the current and desirable states, use the SWOT analysis technique to analyse the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, and develop strategies for policy formulation and implementation. Policy board members, 145 primary education service area offices and 345 schools were used to collect research samples, and the research instruments employed comprised semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The frequency, percentage, average, standard deviation, PNI_modified and content analysis were used to analyse the data. The research findings showed that politicians played a major role in policy formulation, without strategic planning based on research, and with a reduced participation of stakeholders. The overall view of the current states of policy implementation was at a high level. The desirable states were the collaboration on brainstorming, preparation and planning. The strengths were the social advantage policy, target setting, patterns of control, monitoring mechanisms and values for implementation, while the weaknesses were a lack of collaboration, success criteria definition and organizational procedures. The opportunities were the education policies and technological advancement, while the threats were economic and social conditions. The policy formulation strategies were to raise the level of policy acceptance and to identify the policy strategic directions. The policy implementation strategies were to assign accountability for policy implementation at each level, employ strict and effective governance and create Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to improve students’ outcomes.