A review of the history of the agricultural education program in the United States with implications for the agricultural education program in Thailand

Abstract

The primary purpose of the study was to review the history of agricultural education programs in the United States with special emphasis on occupational experience programs, young farmer and adult programs, curricula in agricultural education programs, pre-service and in-service training programs for teachers in agriculture, and the Future Farmers of America. This review was conducted in order that a comprehensive program of agricultural education could be designed to meet the needs of the students in public elementary and secondary schools of Thailand. Assumptions underlying the study were:

That this study can help to formulate specific guidelines for improving future agricultural education programs in Thailand; and That the identification of various strengths of the agricultural education program in the United States would be a valuable approach in helping to develop a stronger agricultural education program in Thailand.

Procedures in the study included a review of selected publications and documents in the United States concerning the agricultural education program and a review of the current agricultural education program in Thailand was also conducted. Because of the limited current information in the United States about the agricultural education program in Thailand, the writer returned to Thailand to collect first-hand information for two months (December 9, 1972 to February 9, 1973). Much of the information collected in Thailand concerned the present policy of the Ministry of Education, the current status of the agricultural education program, and the identification of the current problems facing agricultural education. The technique of forming a Panel of Experts to identify strengths of the agricultural education program in the United States was used to help provide sound ideas for use during development of the proposed recommendations for Thailand's agricultural education program. Observations made by the writer were: (1) that the agricultural education programs have not been placed at the elementary and secondary level in public schools in Thailand; (2) that agricultural education programs can help students to understand the agricultural occupations and agri-related occupations; (3) that agricultural education programs can improve the potential of students to be leaders and good citizens through the Future Farmers of Thailand; (4) that agricultural education programs can prepare young farmers and adults to be more competent in farming; (5) that agricultural education programs provide the skills needed for the world of work through occupational experiences; and (6) that agricultural education programs can prepare rural youth in the agricultural colleges to be competent in teaching agriculture. Based on the conclusions of this study, the following general recommendations were made to help strengthen the agricultural education program in Thailand:

That the Ministry of Education should revise the current policy for agricultural education; That the agricultural education program should be expanded to include courses at the secondary school level, and consideration be given to expanding the program to the elementary level; That agricultural education programs should have trained and qualified agricultural teachers; That guidance officers and counselors should be provided in the elementary and secondary schools for vocational guidance and occupational information; That the Ministry of Education should conduct appropriate research studies which would serve to identify the procedures to be followed in implementation of the proposed agricultural education program.