The Challenge of Educational Management for Urban Refugee Children in Thai Schools

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the challenge of educational management for urban refugee children in Thai schools, understand the attitudes of school directors and teachers affecting educational management, and recommend guidelines for promoting appropriate education for urban refugee children consistent with Thai Department of Education regulations and UNHCR best practices. The data was collected by schools in Bangkok both public and private schools in a total of 5 locations by using multi-case studies; document analysis, observation, in-depth interviews, and group discussions from major informants such as directors, teachers, urban refugee children, Thai children, and others. The results revealed that the condition of educational management for urban refugee children in Thai schools applied identical education for Thai children in all aspects. However, there were still many operational challenges, including obstacles in Thai language skills, an insufficient number of teachers, and the lack of coordination among relevant departments.  The second results revealed that the majority of school directors and teachers recognized  the challenges faced by urban refuge children and agreed education is a right for them to entitled. The guidelines developed from this research include establishing dedicated classrooms for urban refugee children, dedicating specific school(s) for them, and increasing collaboration to establish dedicated learning centers and improve existing ones with focus on improving Thai language skills and facilitating better integration into Thai society. However, the mission of dedicated learning centers for urban refugee children should be to facilitate matriculation to Thai schools rather than as stand-alone educational alternatives. Of these three guidelines, the last was most feasible given the current context.