DEVELOPMENT OF A LIFE SKILLS TRAINING PACKAGE ON THE FOUR PRINCIPLES OF SANGAHAVATTHU 4 FOR VOCATIONAL STUDENTS OF ASIA LOPBURI TECHNOLOGICAL COLLEGE

Abstract

This research aims to: 1) Study the problems and needs in developing life skills in interpersonal relationships for vocational students at Asia Technology College, Lopburi; 2) Develop a life skills training package in interpersonal relationships based on the Four Principles of Social Harmony for vocational students at Asia Technology College, Lopburi; and 3) Test and improve the life skills training package in interpersonal relationships based on the Four Principles of Social Harmony for vocational students at Asia Technology College, Lopburi. The population consisted of 103 students and 27 informants from interviews, focus group discussions, and policy meetings. A variety of tools were used, including questionnaires, interview forms, and assessments. Statistics used included frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, t-tests, and content analysis. This research was a research and development (R&D) project conducted in three phases: identifying problems and needs, developing a skills training package, and pilot testing and refining the tools. The population consisted of 103 students and 27 informants gathered through interviews, focus group discussions, and policy meetings. The research tools included questionnaires, interviews, and evaluation forms. Statistical analyses included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, and content analysis. The findings indicated a high level of need for students to develop interpersonal skills. Therefore, the researchers developed five life skills training packages based on the Four Principles of Social Harmony (Sanghahavatthu 4). These packages were evaluated by experts as highly suitable and effective in promoting students' interpersonal skills. The results of the One Group Pretest-Posttest Design showed that post-test skill scores were significantly higher than pre-test scores at the .05 statistical significance level, clearly reflecting the effectiveness of the training package. Furthermore, students expressed a high level of positive opinion of the training package ( = 3.90, S.D. = 0.79), and policy discussions indicated a very high level of feasibility, usefulness, appropriateness, and relevance to the college context ( = 4.85, S.D. = 0.16).