Model of Development for Participatory Solid Wastes Management of Temples Learning Centers, Pathum Thani Province

Abstract

This mixed methods research and development aimed to 1) study problems and needs for waste management of temples, Pathum Thani province, 2) establish and develop model of learning center for participatory waste management of the temples. Population and samples could be defined following research’s stages as follows: stage 1; studied problems and needs for waste management of the temples, population are monks, temple personnel and virtuous men in Pathum thani province in total 3,120 persons. The samples consisted of 451 persons based on Krejcie and Morgan’s sample size table and obtained by multi-stage sampling, stage 2;  established and developed the educational center’s model for waste management from 12 key informants consisting of abbots, temples’ personnel responsible for waste management, academics and chief executives of the Sub-district Administrative Organization or mayors. Research Tools were composed of 1) problem and need questionnaires 2) questions and record forms for focus group to establish and develop the Learning center’s model 4) evaluation forms of the educational center. Data were analyzed by content analysis, percentage, mean, standard deviation.

 The research results revealed that:

1. Pathum thani province comprises 7 districts located in low land of Chao Praya river with 187 temples situated in urban area and suburb. The temples’ waste mainly arised from food containers’ garbage and cremation activities collected by local administrative organization. The temples require communities and local administrative organization to take part in temples’ waste management.


2. The Learning center’s model for participatory waste management of the temples were composed of 1) background and significance of the study emphasized on providing the waste management knowledge and supporting attitude to viable practice 2) principle and concept utilizing the principle of less waste and using waste following the concept of environmental study providing knowledge, creating attitude to right practice and learning concept and the educational center 3) objectives for being the Learning center passing on knowledge, creating positive attitude and practice skills in waste management 4) operational approach consisting of 6 learning stations: station1; waste separation, station 2; recyclable waste bank, station 3; 3R principle, station 4; bio-extract, station 5; bio-fertilizer and station 6; biogas. 5) the evaluation with knowledge, attitude and practice test. 6) supportive factors deriving from participation of communities and support of local administrative organization 7) utilizing through model using manual with qualitative evaluation of the educational center’s model revealed that was at high level ( = 4.16, S.D.= 0.13).