A MODEL OF PARTICIPATORY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE THE HAPPINESS OF PUPILS AT JUNIOR DEMONSTRATION SCHOOLS IN NAKHON PATHOM PROVINCE

Abstract

The study of a model of participatory recreational activities to enhance the happiness of pupils at Junior Demonstration Schools in Nakhon Pathom Province was aimed to 1) study the current situations of participatory recreational activities to enhance the happiness of junior pupils; 2) to develop a model of participatory recreational activities to enhance the happiness of junior pupils, and; 3) to certify the developed model of participatory recreational activities to enhance the happiness of junior pupils in demonstration schools in Nakhon Pathom province. The research and development was conducted and the samples in the study were 291 junior pupils randomly selected by proportional random sampling. The key informants were 1) 21 people involved in the provision of education in the demonstration schools, and 2) 9 people involved in the management of education in the demonstration schools.  The data were collected by using a questionnaire, an in-depth interview, and focus group discussion.

The findings showed that:

(1) The situations of participatory recreational activities to enhance the happiness of junior pupils in demonstration schools showed the demonstration schools provided various recreational activities, namely, sports activities, boy scout/ girl guide camp activities, academic camp activities, and learning skill camps.

(2) The developed model of the participatory recreational activities to enhance the happiness of the junior pupils in Nakhon Pathom province was called the Dokkaew model, with 7 elements: 1) D = demand of the demonstration school pupils, 2) O = Objective, 3) K = knowledge, 4) K = keen, 5) A = Activities, 6) E = enjoyment, and 7) W = wise.  The evaluation of the 5 experts showed the appropriateness of the developed model at the highest level. 

(3)  The results of implementation and evaluation the developed model showed the happiness of pupils at a high level.  The first three items were the activities helped the pupils relaxed, could better face problems, and gave them life experience.