On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 1:30 p.m., at the Nakhon Pengjan Meeting Room, Khon Kaen City Municipality, Mr. Thirasak Thikhayuphan, Mayor of Khon Kaen City Municipality, delivered a lecture to a study group of senior executives from the Ministry of Education (MOE), 13th batch. The session focused on the role of local administrative organizations in educational management.
Accompanying the mayor were: Mr. Montree Singhaphunnaphat & Dr. Oranong Saengka – Deputy Mayors Mr. Natthakorn Srinawakul & Mr. Pansak Sriruang – Mayor’s Secretaries Mr. Warin Ekburin – Member of the Municipal Council Ms. Ari Surarak – Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Municipality Mr. Manop Chongtaku – Director of the Education Office Ms. Parinda Eiasakul – Director of the Social Welfare Office Mr. Saran Paonareang – Director of the Education, Religion, and Culture Promotion Division Ms. Patcharamon Nil Klang – Director of the Education Administration Division Executives from educational institutions under Khon Kaen City Municipality and municipal staff also joined in welcoming the delegation. The study group, comprising 51 senior executives from the Ministry of Education, was led by project advisors Mr. Sompong Anuyutphong, former governor of Trang Province, and Mr. Sumet Saengnimnuan, former governor of Chiang Rai Province. The visit focused on educational management, academic administration, and basic educational services.
Educational Vision and Strategies of Khon Kaen City Municipality Under the vision of "Developing cities to be international, creating a society of happiness", Khon Kaen City Municipality has four key policies: 1. Improving quality of life and social services 2. Enhancing the city’s potential 3. Developing economic capabilities towards becoming a metropolis 4. Strengthening local administration through community participation
For education development, the municipality follows the vision of "Creating a learning society with sustainable and happy educational standards", guided by five strategic goals: 1. Enhancing the efficiency of the educational administration system 2. Promoting educational opportunities, equality, and access to services 3. Implementing eco-friendly educational management to improve quality of life 4. Supporting religion, arts, culture, traditions, and local wisdom 5. Encouraging and supporting sports and recreational activities
Key Educational Initiatives The municipality’s core principle in education is to reduce inequality and ensure inclusive learning opportunities, adhering to the concept of "development that leaves no one behind." Schools under the municipality focus on three fundamental competencies: 1. Literacy, arithmetic, and critical thinking 2. Five + one desirable characteristics – discipline, patience, responsibility, generosity, gratitude, and love for the local community 3. Life skills development, including technological proficiency and foreign language communication
To optimize educational management, Khon Kaen City Municipality has implemented the School Cluster Management System, categorizing schools into three specialized groups: 1. Academic Excellence Group 2. Sports Excellence Group 3. Life Skills Excellence Group
Special Educational Projects Khon Kaen City Municipality has also introduced significant educational projects to support students with diverse learning needs, including:
1. Project to Develop a Care System for Children with Learning Problems A collaborative initiative between the Education Office of Khon Kaen City Municipality and the Northeast Child and Adolescent Mental Health Institute at Khon Kaen Hospital, this project has been in operation since 2015. It aims to: Provide mental health services for children without requiring hospital visits Establish a preventive and intervention framework for behavioral issues Offer counseling and treatment for at-risk children Serve as a model for national expansion in other regions This project is pioneering a system where teachers and parents can access mental health services directly, ensuring that children receive timely support.
2. "Wide Horizon Classroom" Project The Wide Horizon Classroom initiative follows the philosophy of "developing the potential of children left behind in traditional education." It caters to students with: Learning disabilities and special educational needs Behavioral challenges and difficulties in adjusting to school life Weak emotional resilience due to family circumstances A tendency to follow negative influences and struggle in regular classrooms This project provides specialized support through: Counselors and guidance teachers, who work closely with students Customized activities, both inside and outside the classroom, to develop life skills Social integration programs, helping students adjust to their learning environment By offering personalized support, this initiative ensures that every child has the opportunity to develop self-sufficiency, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability. Knowledge Exchange and Future Cooperation Following the lecture, the visiting executives participated in a discussion and Q&A session, facilitating an exchange of knowledge and experiences. Khon Kaen City Municipality expressed its sincere appreciation for hosting the senior executives from the Ministry of Education and emphasized its commitment to building a collaborative network. This visit marks a step forward in strengthening inter-organizational cooperation, ensuring that the knowledge gained contributes to the future development of educational management and policy implementation