The Collaboration between the Public and Private Sectors in Establishing a Support System for Learning in Schools under the Partnership School Project: A Case Study of Partnership Schools in the Central and Eastern Regions of Thailand

Abstract

Background and Aims: The reform of Thai education began with the National Education Act B.E. 2542 (1999), which emphasized learner-centered education and the decentralization of educational administration to local authorities. In the second decade of reform, the government promoted collaboration with the private sector through the “Public-Private Collaboration” project, which led to the establishment of the “Partnership School Project.” This initiative allows the private sector to take a significant role in school management and development. The objectives of this study were: 1) To examine the levels of public-private collaboration and the implementation of learning support systems in partnership schools, and 2) To investigate the relationship between public-private collaboration and the learning support systems in various dimensions.

Methodology: The sample consisted of 165 school administrators and teachers from 10 partnership schools in the central and eastern regions of Thailand. Two questionnaires were used: one measuring public-private collaboration (19 items), and the other measuring learning support systems (15 items). The tools were validated through item-objective congruence (IOC) and reliability analysis, yielding Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.967 and 0.899, respectively. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results: The levels of public-private collaboration and the implementation of learning support systems in the schools were found to be high. A statistically significant positive correlation was identified between public-private collaboration and the implementation of learning support systems (p < .01).

Conclusion: Public-private collaboration in partnership schools effectively enhances the implementation of learning support systems, especially in terms of vocational skills, modern learning environments, and the promotion of digital learning. These factors contribute positively to student development in the modern world.