Network building of Guidance Process Buddhist for Educational Personnel in Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate areas for building a Buddhist guidance process network, (2) to construct a Buddhist guidance process network, and (3) to propose a network model and operational guidelines for Buddhist guidance processes for educational personnel in Thailand. This study employed a qualitative research approach combined with action research. The key informants consisted of guidance teachers, teachers responsible for guidance activities, and undergraduate students in Buddhist education and guidance psychology programs, totalling 18 participants. Research instruments included interviews, focus group discussions, network-building activity packages, and satisfaction questionnaires. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis, while quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation.

The findings revealed that: (1) the areas for building a Buddhist guidance process network were aligned with the Basic Education Core Curriculum B.E. 2551 (2008), covering educational, career, and personal–social guidance as well as the five guidance services; (2) the construction of the Buddhist guidance process network comprised three stages leadership development, awareness building, and network membership expansion with participation from five schools and a central coordinating unit. Post-activity evaluation showed that participants’ knowledge, understanding, and satisfaction increased after the program (= 4.24, S.D. = 0.46); and (3) the proposed operational guidelines for the Buddhist guidance process network consisted of ten systematic steps that can be effectively applied to enhance guidance practices in educational institutions.