ENHANCING LIFE SKILLS IN PSYCHOLOGY FOR IN-SERVICE TEACHERS AT SMALL SCHOOLS IN REMOTE AREAS : A CASE STUDY OF ISLAND SCHOOLS IN SOUTHERN THAILAND

Abstract

This research aimed to synthesize, design, and implement a psychological life skills development program for teachers in small, remote island schools across eight provinces in Southern Thailand. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions with a sample of 143 in-service teachers. The findings revealed that: 1) Although self-assessments indicated high initial skill levels, further focus group discussions with stakeholders identified a need for deeper psychological resilience. Consequently, 12 key skills were synthesized, including self-awareness, emotional management, positive thinking, and relationship building. 2) A training curriculum comprising activities designed to enhance these 12 skills was developed. 3) Post-training evaluations showed a significant improvement, with participants’ understanding and perceived ability to apply the skills rising from a moderate level (pre-training) to the highest level (post-training). The study recommends that the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) adopt this curriculum as a prerequisite or development guideline for teachers assigned to remote island areas to enhance retention rates and professional effectiveness in challenging environments.