The Model for the Effective Management of Buddhist Sunday Schools under the Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture, in the Lower Northeastern Region

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) To investigate the management guidelines for Buddhist Sunday Schools in the lower northeastern region; 2) To construct and develop an effective management model for Buddhist Sunday Schools in the lower northeastern region; and 3) To assess the practical feasibility and utility of the effective management model for Buddhist Sunday Schools in the lower northeastern region proposed management model. The research instruments included structured interviews with one director and two teachers from each Sunday Buddhist Education Center, totaling 15 individuals; focus group discussions with seven experts; and an evaluation form for the suitability of the effective management model for Sunday Buddhist Education Centers, administered to 30 directors of Sunday Buddhist Education Centers. Data analysis employed content analysis, mean, and standard deviation.
The research findings revealed that 1) the effective management guidelines for Sunday Buddhist Education Centers under the Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture, in the lower northeastern region comprise six components and 44 approaches; 2) the creation and development of an effective management model for Sunday Buddhist Education Centers under the Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture, in the lower northeastern region. The model has 5 components: (1) principles and rationale (2) objectives (3) essential content (4) application of the model (5) conditions for success. In terms of essential content, there are 6 management guidelines and 44 approaches: (1) development of the center's goals, with 7 approaches; (2) curriculum development, with 8 approaches; (3) development of learning activities, with 8 approaches; (4) development of teachers and personnel, with 6 approaches; (5) development of the environment, buildings, media, and technology, with 8 approaches; (6) development of cooperation networks, with 7 approaches. The results of the evaluation of the suitability of the model, both overall and by component, were at the highest level; and 3) Evaluation of the feasibility and usefulness of the effective management model of the Sunday Buddhist Education Center under the Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Lower Northeastern Region, found that the feasibility and usefulness of the model, both overall and by component, were at the highest level.