A STUDY OF LOCAL CURRICULUM MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES INTEGRATING BUDDHIST PRINCIPLES FROM THE ROCKET FESTIVAL IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE UDON THANI MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

This study aimed to: (1) examine the Buddhist principles reflected in the Bun Bang Fai tradition of the Isan people; (2) develop guidelines for administering a local curriculum integrated with Buddhist principles derived from the Bun Bang Fai tradition in educational institutions under Udonthani Municipality; and (3) investigate the effectiveness of the proposed curriculum administration guidelines. A mixed-methods research design was employed, collecting data from key informants and questionnaires from a total of 235 participants. For the experimental component, a cluster-random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 40 Grade 10 students from Udonthani Municipality School 6 to compare their learning outcomes before and after participating in the integrated instructional activities. Research instruments included an academic achievement test and an interview protocol. Quantitative data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, while qualitative data were analyzed descriptively

The research findings revealed that

1) The Buddhist principles embedded in the Bun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival) tradition of the Isan people consist of gratitude (katanyu-katavedi), social harmony, the Four Bases of Social Solidarity (Sangahavatthu IV), the Four Paths of Accomplishment (Iddhipada IV), concentration (samādhi), the Three Bases of Meritorious Action (Puññakiriyavatthu III), and volunteer spirit. These findings indicate that the Bun Bang Fai tradition is not merely a cultural activity but also a systematic process for transmitting Buddhist values and promoting communal coexistence within society.

2) The approach to local curriculum administration through the integration of Buddhist principles derived from the Bun Bang Fai tradition was developed within the Social Studies, Religion, and Culture learning area in accordance with the Basic Education Core Curriculum B.E. 2551 (2008). This integration was implemented through the development of learning units entitled “Bun Bang Fai Tradition” and “Buddhist Principles Embedded in the Bun Bang Fai Tradition.” In addition, curriculum development and curriculum review committees were formally appointed prior to implementation to ensure accuracy, appropriateness, and alignment with the local context in curriculum administration

3) The students’ learning achievement after participating in learning activities based on this approach showed a significant improvement. The mean pre-test score was 9.45, while the mean post-test score increased to 14.15. The post-test scores were significantly higher than the pre-test scores at the .01 level of statistical significance. These results demonstrate that integrating the Bun Bang Fai tradition with Buddhist principles into the local curriculum can effectively enhance students’ learning outcomes