TEACHER DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OF LUANG NAMTHA TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGE, LUANG NAMTHA PROVINCE, LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC TO UPGRADE TO AN INSTITUTE

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to formulate a development strategy for Luang Namtha Teacher Training College to become an institution, and 2) to evaluate the suitability of the development strategy of Luang Namtha Teacher Training College to become an institution. The samples used in this study were 134 personnel in Luang Namtha Teacher Training College, Lao People's Democratic Republic. The research instrument was an in-depth interview for use in focus-group discussion in order to develop a strategic plan to upgrade Luang Nam Tha Teacher College into an institution.

The results revealed that: there were 5 strategic issues gained from the development plan of Luang Namtha Teacher Training College as follows: 1) accelerating and providing funding for higher education at both doctoral and master's levels for teachers and administrators, 2) creating a system of organizational welfare in response to funding to develop and upgrade personnel's academic titles, 3) creating a network to support education and personnel development both within and outside the country, 4) developing information technology systems for personnel development within the organization, and 5) expediting policy proposals to increase the quota for recruiting civil servants to relevant agencies to encourage highly qualified outsiders to work in the college. The results of the assessment of the suitability of the teacher development strategy of Luang Nam Tha Teacher Training College to become an institution revealed that the most appropriate strategic issue was accelerating and providing funding for further study at the doctorate and master's levels of teachers and administrators.