Educational Management Strategies for Promoting Lifelong Learning
Main Article Content
Abstract
Lifelong learning is a key concept in human resource development in the digital era, emphasizing continuous learning through the integration of formal, non-formal, and informal education. This article aims to analyze the concept of lifelong learning and propose appropriate educational management strategies for the context of Thailand in the 21st century. The study utilizes documentary analysis and theoretical synthesis, along with investigating the European Union’s 15 quality indicators for lifelong learning.
This article indicates that lifelong learning is an open system that is unrestricted by time and place, focuses on holistic personal development, and can be flexibly adapted to various contexts. The proposed strategies consist of four main dimensions, namely, developing policies and operational frameworks; creating flexible and diverse education systems; fostering digital competencies and 21st century skills; and building learning environments that are conducive to development. Implementing these strategies will lead to a sustainable learning society where individuals have ongoing opportunities for self-development, and Thailand can enhance its competitiveness in the digital economy. Educators, researchers, and relevant public and private sector agencies can apply the proposed concepts and strategies to determine directions, develop policies, and create lifelong learning plans at both national and local levels. This is for enhancing citizens’ quality of life and building a sustainable learning society.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
All published articles are evaluated by three qualified peer reviewers from various institutions through a double-blind process, where reviewers do not know the authors’ identities and authors do not know the reviewers’ identities. The content and articles in the Hatyai Academic Journal reflect the authors’ views only and are neither the opinions of the editorial board nor the responsibility of Hatyai University. The Editorial Board of the Hatyai Academic Journal allows articles to be reproduced for academic purposes, on the condition that the original source is clearly cited.
References
Abou Said, S., & Abdallah, W. (2024). Enhancing lifelong learning and professional growth: Exploring the role of self-directed learning for university educators. Journal of Adult and Continuing Education, 30(2), 439-462.
Charungkaittikul, S. (2018). Lifelong learning in the digital age: Opportunities and challenges of Thailand. Naresuan University Journal of Education, 20(4), 333-345. [in Thai]
Charungkaittikul, S. (2021). Concepts and guidelines for enhancing lifelong learning in Thailand. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Press. [in Thai]
Equitable Education Fund. (2024). Breaking through Thailand's basic skills crisis requires looking at education beyond school boundaries. Retrieved from https://www.eef.or.th/article-110324/ [in Thai]
European Commission. (2002). European report on quality indicators of lifelong learning. Brussels, Belgium: Directorate-General for Education and Culture.
Håkansson Lindqvist, M., Mozelius, P., Jaldemark, J., & Cleveland Innes, M. (2023). Higher education transformation towards lifelong learning in a digital era – a scoping literature review. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 43(1), 24-38.
Hwang, G. J., & Fu, Q. K. (2020). Advancement and research trends of smart learning environments in the mobile era. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 14(1), 114-129.
Li, N., Huijser, H., Xi, Y., Limniou, M., Zhang, X., & Kek, M. Y. C. A. (2022). Disrupting the disruption: A digital learning HeXie ecology model. Education Sciences, 12(2), 63.
Mansour, A., & El Aissaoui, H. (2025). Lifelong learning in the digital age: Addressing economic and social inequalities through inclusive policy. International Journal of Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Management and Economics, 6(6), 225-239.
Naipongsi, S. (2023). Development of non-formal education management process to enhance environmental literacy for village natural resources and environmental protection volunteers (Doctoral dissertation). Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. [in Thai]
National Strategy 2017-2037. (2018, October 13). Royal Thai Government Gazette. Volume 135 Part 82A, pp. 1-74. [in Thai]
Office of the Education Council Secretariat. (2017). National education plan 2017-2036. Bangkok: Office of the Education Council Secretariat. [in Thai]
Office of the National Education Commission. (1999). National Education Act B.E. 2542 (1999). Bangkok: Office of the National Education Commission. [in Thai]
Office of the Non-Formal and Informal Education. (2008). Non-Formal and Informal Education Promotion Act, B.E. 2551 (2008). Bangkok: Ministry of Education. [in Thai]
Pathumcharoenwattana, W. (2018). Informal education. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University Press. [in Thai]
Reychav, I., Elyakim, N., & McHaney, R. (2023). Lifelong learning processes in professional development for online teachers during the Covid era. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1041800.
Ruangchan, R., Meechai, C., & Prasongsang, C. (2025). Academic management in a lifelong learning education system. Hatyai Academic Journal, 23(2), 366-382. [in Thai]
Stanistreet, P. (2020). COVID-19: Re-connecting higher education to lifelong learning. Retrieved from https://thelifelonglearningblog.uil.unesco.org/2020/08/03/covid-19-re-connecting-higher-education-to-lifelong-learning/
Sungsri, S., & Sungsri, P. (2022). Lifelong learning for people in every age group in Thai society. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Thonburi University, 16(2), 158-170. [in Thai]
Thwe, W. P., & Kálmán, A. (2024). Lifelong learning in the educational setting: A systematic literature review. The Asia Pacific Education Researcher, 33(2), 407-417.
UNESCO. (2024). Global education monitoring report 2024/5: Leadership in education: Lead for learning. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000391758
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. (2024). Learning ecosystems. Retrieved from https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/learning-ecosystems
United States Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2023). Artificial intelligence and the future of teaching and learning: Insights and recommendations. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/documents/ai-report/ai-report.pdf