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Thailand’s dual education system: a way forward

Jomphong Mongkhonvanit (Siam University, Bangkok, Thailand)

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning

ISSN: 2042-3896

Article publication date: 8 May 2017

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the status, values, and attributes of dual education. It investigates key elements of the dual education system in four selected countries while examining and recommending dynamics and roles for governmental policy, technical and vocational institutes, and employers in developing a dual education system in Thailand to generate a competitive workforce. The tripartite system of technical and vocational institutes, employers, and government in Thailand’s dual education is central to this study.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a documentary study, a survey, in-depth interviews, and responses from a focus group from technical and vocational institutes, employers, and the government.

Findings

This study found growing interest among technical and vocational institutes, employers, parents, and students in dual education. Within the tripartite system framework, the nine essential factors to improve the capacity of Thailand’s dual education system are: the technical and vocational institutes, curriculum, in-school teachers, accredited qualification, students, employers, in-company trainers, government policy, and government and related agencies. The government, companies, and technical and vocational institutes must collaborate for mutual trust and benefit while ensuring the quality of dual education programs.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the status and development of dual education in Thailand through the collaboration of key players. This study reflects the challenges of a major developing country in developing a dual education system, which other countries might face.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Conflicts of interest: there are no conflicts of interest to be declared.

This study was supported by Thailand’s Ministry of Education. The author thanks the author’s colleagues from the Ministry of Education’s Office of the Permanent Secretary, technical and vocational institutes, companies, and governmental agencies that provided insight and expertise that greatly assisted the study. Further acknowledgment goes to Dr. Jidapa Thirasirikul for her technical support and data collection of the study.

Citation

Mongkhonvanit, J. (2017), "Thailand’s dual education system: a way forward", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 155-167. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-09-2016-0067

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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