The potential of several “localities” around the world to advance local education, promote educational equity, and allow individuals of all ages and sectors to pursue lifelong learning has been recognized by UN organizations like UNESCO. To assist local governments in creating practical plans for creating learning cities, UNESCO created the Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) in various locations across the globe.
A learning city close to Bangkok is called “Chachoengsao.”
Among the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, Thailand boasts seven education hubs. ‘Mueang Paet Riw,’ also known as Mueang Chachoengsao, was chosen by the UNESCO Institute of Lifelong Learning on September 21, 2020, to be included in the Learning Cities Network, making it one of the learning cities nearest to Bangkok.
Membership certificate in the Municipality of Chachoengsao Province’s Learning City Network.
The city of Chachoengsao has a vision. “Beautiful cities to live in” is a concept that encompasses all aspects of development, including education, public health, the environment, human resource development, and the reduction of social inequality. All ages and genders have equal access to free educational programs that foster a culture of lifelong learning.
Furthermore, the Knowledge Center of Chacheongsao (KCC) was established by the Chachoengsao Municipality in compliance with the six primary requirements of UNESCO’s Learning Cities, which include fostering learning at all educational levels, fostering learning within families and communities, fostering effective workplace learning, encouraging the use of contemporary technology, fostering quality and excellence in learning, and fostering a strong culture of lifelong learning. As a result, Chachoengsao is considered a city of learning in the end.
It is the goal of Chachoengsao Learning City to lessen inequity.
From the outside looking in, Chachoengsao can appear to be a little city by the Bang Pakong River. Although Chachoengsao is a gateway to a sizable province in the east, the people who live there have shaped the city’s future by establishing a vision of it as a “Beautiful city to live in” that is prepared in every manner, particularly in terms of human resource development to lessen educational inequality.
Under the direction of Mr. Kloyuth Chaisaeng, Mayor of Chachoengsao City, the project “the Knowledge Center of Chacheongsao (KCC)” is started and run by the local government body, Chachoengsao Municipality. Mr. Chaisaeng is determined to develop the city and its human resources in tandem with the current changes. As a result, the Knowledge Center of Chacheongsao (KCC) has partnered with Thailand Knowledge Park (TK Park) and other network partners, including the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), whose goal is to create educational opportunities and reduce inequality, and the Health Promotion Foundation, which comes to provide public health knowledge. Through local government groups that have a thorough understanding of local education issues, the Equitable Education Fund (EEF) has suggested and supported policies to establish tangible educational equity. Under the direction of local leaders with a mission to increase access to educational resources and disseminate information, this initiative aims to engage children, young people, and the general public in the community.
The Knowledge Center of Chacheongsao (KCC) uses three guiding principles—Public Service, Online Service, and Onsite Service—to establish goals that address the requirements and behavior of service consumers. Additionally, Chachoengsao City offers nine zones of learning as a public service:
- Young children’s imaginations will enjoy exploring the delightful learning parks that are children’s libraries.
- The music library is a place where original music is produced.
- A live library where people can learn and look up information from various books and multimedia sources.
- The KCC Theater is a cutting-edge venue for performances and movie screenings.
- Dream Square is a venue for planning all kinds of events.
- The Light Relief Room is an exhibition space that honors excellence in craftsmanship, art, and knowledge.
- Our residence is the Chachoengsao City History Hall, which uses enormous touch screens and animations to present information.
- The Multimedia Zone is a place where people can use different electronic media for amusement and education.
- The IT library is a space with computers, internet access, and a range of applications that prioritize useful use for both personal and business purposes.
- The Knowledge Center of Chacheongsao prioritizes education for people of all ages in its activities.
The Chachoengsao Municipality has partnered with TK Park to offer online services and has connected to the Online Library system to become an online service network, enabling individuals of all ages to access reading extensively.
Regarding the provision of spatial services, different media have been supplied to assist complete health learning, and collaborative efforts with public health network partners like the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, among others, have supported learning in every home.
In addition, the Knowledge Center of Chacheongsao also provides chances for children and youth to study through various activities that encourage and develop children’s potential in numerous areas and generate new learning experiences outside the classroom equally, free of charge.
The goal of the Chachoengsao Municipality’s Learning City Policy is to promote “Lifelong learning,” which emphasizes not only the advancement of education but also the development of individuals’ potential for quality while aiming to make this city a smart city in the future.
