The Raks Thai Foundation’s 84 Schools Project has been designed in response to the awareness that many Thai children are not reaching their educational potential. Each year nearly 600 schools do not pass Thailand’s quality assessment, and more than 100,000 students drop out of school due to poverty; mostly in poor communities in remote rural districts.
The foundation believes that encouraging students to remain in school is not enough to make a real change. Instead, a brand new learning process based on the practical principles of education, livelihood and sustainability is being implemented, alongside school improvements such as clean water, sports equipment, education materials, computers, libraries and even agricultural equipment.
The project is designed to facilitate 6,720 disadvantaged children aged 7 — 14 in 84 poor rural schools to become independent lifelong learners who possess important life and occupational skills, supported by 168 teachers trained in the new learning concept.
Children will have the chance to study their community environment, and in small teams of 5 - 10 students will propose and implement small projects on lifestyle topics including leadership, alternative occupations, culture and environmental conservation. These important life lessons also raise self esteem and build confidence to help each child’s development.
“We are thrilled to be supporting this charitable schooling project in honor of HM the King’s 84th birthday,” Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotel Group including Anantara said. “Anantara is proud to be playing a role to enhance the future of Thailand’s underprivileged children. By empowering the country’s youth through education and life skills, as well as teaching them how to preserve nature and culture, the long term benefits will be felt by each student and their community.”
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