A Study of Needs and Guidelines for the Development of School Botanical Gardens in Prachuapkhirikhan Province

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to: 1) study the current situation of the administration of botanical garden work in schools in Prachuapkhirikhan province; 2) study the needs of the administration of botanical gardens in schools in Prachuapkhirikhan province, and; 3) create guidelines for the development of more efficient botanical garden work methods in schools in Prachuapkhirikhan province. This study combines research methods of qualitative research and quantitative research. Qualitative data was obtained from a sample group of 30 school principals, administrators and teachers, and quantitative data from 400 students in schools in Prachuapkhirikhan province was obtained using multi-stage random sampling. The tools used for data collection were a 5-level rating scale questionnaire, and unstructured interviews. Results from quantitative data analysis were expressed as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis methodology.

The research findings are: 1) the administration of the botanical gardens focuses on integration with learning in the comprehensive schools’ other subject areas; 2) the four most pressing needs for students in the future are tree planting in the botanical garden, clearer location tags and signage to make visiting easier, appropriate sequencing and classification of plants according to groups or regions, and, on-site education and break facilities, and; 3) the school principal and relevant parties have jointly carefully considered guidelines for the development of the botanical garden which will enable it’s work in the school to successfully complete important objectives, resulting in sustainability and long-term benefit.