Asia Social Issues

Assessing the 21st Century Learning Skills among Cambodian Children: A Comparison of the Learning Skill Levels of Primary School Students of State and Muslim Religious Schools

Sambo Ke — 2025-01-27

This research aimed to mainly compare the levels of learning skills of the 21^st-century in learning languages of children from Muslim and state schools in the Cambodian context. A causal-comparative design was employed to respond to the main research objective. Researchers invited five hundred ninety-two primary school students learning Khmer and Arabic to fill in the questionnaires about 21st-century learning skills. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was the statistical tool used to compare the levels of the student’s language learning skills in the 21st century among these two school communities. As a result of the statistical comparative levels (p<0.05) of each learning skill, critical thinking (0.07) and communication (0.65) skills were not significantly different. At the same time, collaboration (0.00), creativity (0.00), personal competence (0.02), and problem-solving (0.00) were observably different among these two school types. The implication of this study was the development of learning facilitation to enhance the students’ learning skills discussed in line with Cambodian classroom contexts.

The Use of Task-Based Learning Approach to Enhance the English Speaking Skill of Grade 4 Bhutanese Students

Kezang Wangmo — 2025-01-27

This quasi-experimental study was focused on examining the English speaking skill of grade 4 Bhutanese students before and after the use of Task-Based Learning Approach (TBLA). This study also aimed to investigate their learning satisfaction. The research participants consisted of a class of 29 grade 4 students. The quantitative data were collected through a speaking proficiency test (pretest and posttest) as well as a survey questionnaire. These data were analyzed using statistical measures such as paired sample t-test, mean, and standard deviation, with a significance level of ≤05. Qualitative data, obtained through semi-structured interviews and classroom behavior observation, were analyzed using content analysis. The result of the speaking proficiency test indicated enhancement in the grade 4 student’s English speaking skill, after the implementation of TBLA. The pretest mean score was 8.22 and the posttest mean score was 10.79, with a mean difference of 2.56 and a significance value of .01. The findings from the survey questionnaire, semi-structured interview, and classroom behavioral observation also revealed students’ satisfaction with the use of TBLA. Therefore, the findings suggest that TBLA effectively enhances students’ speaking skill.

Ritualizing Buddhayana: The Invention of Rituals in Java Under the State Policy and the Diversity of Indonesian Buddhists

Jesada Buaban — 2025-01-27

This paper aims to study the invention of rituals of Buddhayana, the biggest Buddhist movement in Indonesia. Being a recognized religion in Indonesia also requires standardized rituals; thus, Buddhayana members adapt and negotiate among themselves. It questions, when Buddhayana have to invent rituals to express their identity as required by the government and to respond to the needs of Buddhists from different backgrounds such as Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, how can they do so without being criticized as syncretism or cross-traditional practices? The researcher conducted ethnographic fieldwork in Java from 2022 to 2023. Findings show that (1) as a religion of the minority, the initiation ritual has been invented to affirm the status of world religion and generate the imagined community of Buddhists. (2) Regarding the holy bathing on Kliwon, monks from Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana are invited to perform the ritual, showing that it is a separate ritual and the monks do not cross sectarian lines. The ritual can also accommodate the needs of people from different backgrounds. (3) It shows that the invention of rituals creates unity and allows different groups of people to come together and choose parts of the ceremony that match their identities.

Participatory Knowledge Management to Enhance Local Wisdom Based on Cultural Capital and Resources on the Thai-Cambodian Border, Surin

Napatcha Pancharoen — 2025-01-27

Communities along Surin’s Thai-Cambodian border possess extensive local wisdom, particularly in folk medicine. However, its preservation and transmission face challenges due to modernization and a lack of knowledge transmission to younger generations. This study employed qualitative methods, including focus groups, semi-structured in-depth interviews, and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), to investigate knowledge management practices in Khmer, Lao, and Kui communities in the Phanom Dong Rak and Kap Choeng districts, Surin. The research focused on understanding how local medical wisdom, encompassing prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, is managed and shared within these diverse communities.

The research revealed that while these communities possess extensive local medical knowledge, challenges related to the declining use of folk medicine and a shortage of younger generations to carry on traditional practices persist. This study underscores the urgent need for community-driven knowledge management, cultural sensitivity, and adaptable solutions to empower communities to preserve their valuable heritage. The proposed guidelines, which focus on three key areas: recognizing each community’s diverse cultural assets and resources, implementing effective management of local wisdom knowledge, and fostering active community participation in revitalization efforts, are designed to be implemented by the communities themselves. By addressing these key areas, this research will inform strategies to adapt local wisdom to modern needs while preserving it for future generations.

The Effectiveness of Guidance and Individual and Group Counselling Services on the Mental Health Knowledge among Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students

Linatda Kuncharin — 2025-01-27

The effectiveness of guidance and individual and group counseling services on mental health knowledge is important for undergraduate and postgraduate students. This study applied the mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, which aims to 1) examine the relationship between the effectiveness of guidance, individual, and group counseling services on the mental health knowledge among undergraduate and postgraduate students, 2) to explore the perception between undergraduate and postgraduate students with the mental health knowledge, and 3) to determine the effectiveness of guidance and individual and group counselling services on the mental health knowledge practiced by undergraduate and postgraduate students. The explanatory mixed method was used with 333 (84.73%) undergraduate and 60 (15.27%) postgraduate students; the questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were applied to collect the data. Descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviation, t-test, and correlation were using the Statistical Packet for Social Science (SPSS), and thematic analysis was performed on the interview data. The results showed that mental health knowledge is found to be relevant to the helpfulness of guidance service (t (391) = 2.24, p = 0.00) while confirmed by correlation analysis (r = 0.38**, p<0.00). The mental health knowledge is found to be relevant to the helpfulness of individual and group counseling services (t (391) = 1.18, p = 0.00) while confirmed by correlation analysis (r=0.29**, p<0.00). Moreover, the findings from the interviews with four students, they confirmed that had practiced by applying the guidance and individual counseling services and the mental knowledge when they were challenged facing the mental health issues.

The Measurement of Managerial Efficiency Changes of Dairy Cooperatives in Saraburi Province, Thailand based on The Malmquist Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

Anucha Wittayakorn-Puripunpinyoo — 2025-01-27

The research objectives were to measure: 1) the technical efficiency change (TEC) relative to Constant Return to Scale (CRS) technology of the dairy cooperative in Saraburi province, 2) the technological change (TC), 3) pure technical efficiency (PTE) change relative to a Vary Return to Scale (VRS) and 4) the scale efficiency (SE) change of cooperative. The research was a quantitative research. The secondary data were collected from the Cooperatives Auditing Department from 2013 to 2022. The data were collected from the entire population using electronic spreadsheets. The findings were: 1) the TEC relative to the CRS had an average score of 1.000, expressing the cooperatives had no TEC; 2) the average score of TC was equal to 0.995, expressing their decreasing of TC; 3) the average score of pure efficiency change of cooperative was equal to 1.000 expressing the increased managerial technique of operational performances, and 4) the average score of the total factor of productivity change was equal to 0.996 expressed the decreased total factor of productivity change. It was concluded that dairy cooperatives had no TEC change. The pure efficiency change of dairy cooperatives expressed the increased managerial technique of their operational performances. In contrast, their score for the total factor of productivity change expressed the decreased total factor of productivity change of dairy cooperatives. The findings suggested that the modern dairy farming and dairy cooperatives are constantly searching for innovations to increase milk yields, enhance milk quality, and reduce costs.

Factors and Intention Toward Waste Separation Behavior of People in Khlong Lat Luang Communities: A Case Study of Khlong Lat Luang communities Phra Pradaeng District Samut Prakan Province

Chadalak Samritthinanta — 2025-01-27

The Sustainable Development Goals emphasize waste separation as a crucial tool for addressing the global waste problem. Studies conducted in different regions reveal a low prevalence of household waste separation. This research contributes to the overarching objective by examining the factors influencing individuals' waste separation behavior, specifically focusing on a community situated along the Chao Mueang Canal in Samut Prakan Province. The study employs the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as its conceptual framework. It utilizes Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze the results, revealing that factors influencing waste separation behavior are connected to an individual's intention. This intention to separate waste is significantly influenced by two key factors: Attitude and Subjective Norm. When promoting public participation in waste separation, it is essential to prioritize initiatives that cultivate a positive attitude toward source-based waste separation. Additionally, efforts should focus on establishing subjective norms as a guiding framework for action.

Socio-cultural shifts in a Hmong Society in Northwestern Vietnam: A Case Study in Txheeb Siv Village, Phong Thổ District, Lai Châu Province

Huy Ha Trieu — 2025-01-27

This article examines the significant transformations of a homogeneous Hmong community by analyzing a case study of an upland hamlet called Txheeb Siv (Sin Suối Hồ in Vietnamese) in the Phong Thổ district of Lai Châu province, Vietnam. The findings concern changes in the village’s authority, economic livelihoods, and cultural practices of Txheeb Siv villagers. Based on ethnographical fieldwork results, this research indicates that there are three kinds of authority coexisting in this village, including traditional authority, charismatic authority, and rational-legal authority. Besides, there has been a significant shift in economic activity, highlighting the importance of both traditional farming and husbandry along with community-based tourism and trading. In terms of culture, Hmong villagers made changes in their food and house design while preserving the necessary traditional customs of the Hmong in their spiritual life and festivals. As such, this article assumes there are three key factors leading to such changes, including an overreaching Communist state policy, acute ethnic self-awareness, and the globalization of Christianity.