Guidelines for Internal Educational Quality Assurance Management Using Noble Eightfold Path Principles in Small Schools in Ron Phibun District under Nakhon Si Thammarat Primary Educational Service Area Office 3

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to (1) study the management of internal quality assurance in small schools, (2) explore management approaches to internal quality assurance in small schools using the Noble Eightfold Path, and (3) present and evaluate management approaches to internal quality assurance in small schools using the Noble Eightfold Path. This study is qualitative research, collecting data through in-depth interviews with 15 stakeholders, studying expert interviews with 5 individuals, and conducting focus group discussions with 7 experts. The data were analyzed inductively. The study findings reveal that: 1) The management of internal quality assurance in small schools consists of 6 steps: (1) setting educational standards for the institution, (2) developing a plan for educational management, (3) implementing the educational management plan, (4) evaluating and verifying the quality of education within the institution, (5) monitoring the outcomes to improve the institution's quality according to educational standards, and (6) preparing a self-assessment report. It was found that there are issues such as lack of budget, lack of personnel, lack of knowledge and understanding, delayed and outdated operations, and that quality assurance has become the responsibility of one individual, whereas everyone should contribute. 2) The management approach to internal quality assurance consists of 6 steps, integrating the Noble Eightfold Path, which includes: (1) consulting and jointly deciding on standards and target values, (2) sharing responsibility in developing the educational management plan, (3) collaboratively implementing the educational management plan, (4) sharing responsibility for evaluating and verifying the quality of education, (5) jointly reviewing the operational results to improve the institution, and (6) consulting together to prepare the self-assessment report. 3) The presentation and evaluation of management approaches to internal quality assurance in small schools using the Noble Eightfold Path showed that all experts agreed that these approaches are appropriate, feasible, and beneficial for effective internal quality assurance management in educational institutions.