Innovative practices in education to empower rural communities : A case study of a “non-formal education” school in Thailand

Purpose – This paper aims to explore innovative education approaches in a rural area of Thailand and the socioeconomic transformation fostered in that area through community-based tourism. Design/methodology/approach – This study examined the elements in a case study that successfully linked “non-formal education” (NFE) channels to community development. More than half the population of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) still lives in rural areas, where poverty is widespread. Numerous programmes have been initiated to address the socioeconomic imbalances of the region, and tourism is now considered a driver for rural economic development. However, the development of human resources in rural areas remains low. Education is considered both an important tool for development and a channel for innovative practices to effect the socioeconomic transformation of rural areas. The data for this case study were sourced from secondary documents such as institutional communication, statistics, iconographic documents and websites. The data were analysed through content analysis and provided the basis for interpretation and conceptualisation of the innovative practices adopted by the school. Findings – This study found that the efforts deployed in setting up a non-formal school in a marginalised rural area placed the community at the centre of the pedagogical approach. NFE, indeed, was found to have the ability to enhance the new concept of sustainability for socioeconomic transformation. It helped to leverage the knowledge gained at school onto other skills such as communication and business and built entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge of newer technology required to develop the tourism industry. Research limitations/implications – This study is expected to delineate the basis of a framework for innovation in rural education. This framework should be relevant to researchers and practitioners, and could guide local communities in Thailand and other areas of ASEAN. Originality/value – This is the first study of its kind to examine innovative practices initiated by a specific community school that enhanced tourism and built entrepreneurs. This model can be replicated in other field studies.