Assessing Supports to Promote Better Access to Education within Islamic Schools in a Conflict Zone-Ampor Muang Yala Province.

Medium grant ( Group )- 1 yearUniversity Affiliation: Fatoni University

Research objectives

The research objectives of this are aimed at accomplishing the following objectives:1) Result in an empirical, data-based profile of a representative sample of ponok schools in the  Muslim-majority area  of Thailand identifying resources, services, and needs relevant to addressing human security and violence among students and their families.2) Identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities among these schools to better address human security needs of youth and families and counter violence.3) Generate recommendations and suggestions based on the research data and community input to improve ponok school environments, programs and curriculum; and make recommendations for policy changes at a local and perhaps national level to address human security.

 Significance of research 

This proposal concentrates on the SHAPE-SEA’s theme of peace and security. The three southernmost provinces of Thailand (Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala) have experienced political conflict for decades, and thousands have been killed. Many researchers focus on political issues behind this conflict. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that lack of human and social development impacting youth contribute to this situation, such as crime, drugs, poor education, lack of mental health services, and lack of economic opportunities.Very little research exists about how private Islamic schools (‘ponok’) can prevent and respond to human security needs in southern Thailand. Ponok are an important community institution because they meet the cultural and religious needs of the Muslim minority. However, ponok are challenged to address these human security needs of youth.This project will collect and analyze empirical data from ponok through a mixed methods approach to measure perceptions, needs, and identify policy strategies to help them better address human security. The theoretical basis of this project is the human security paradigm (e.g., Inglehart & Norris, 2012). But the focus of the project is to gather and analyze empirical data and community input to create real-world policy recommendations to counter violence and promote peace.

Researchers

1. Suhaimee Sateemae- Head of Islamic Studies Curriculum, Satree Islam Foundation School, Thailand
2. Asisah Yama- Deputy Director of Academic Affairs, Tarbiatulwatan Mulniti,School, Thailand
3. Ms.Annida Noiwong- Lecturer, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Fatoni University, Thailand.
4. Ms.Sareehah Tayongmas- Lecturer, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Fatoni University, Thailand.
5. Ms.Habibah Datoo- Teacher, Satree Yala School