With the aim to strengthen the capacity of the adopted schools under the SEAMEO Community Involvement Programme, the SEAMEO Secretariat in collaboration with Microsoft (Thailand) Limited conducted a workshop for 30 administrators and teachers dubbed as "School Development Workshop: Challenges to Improve Schools' Capacity for 21st Century" on 19-20 October 2009 at the National Institute for Development of Teachers, Faculty Staff and Educational Personnel (NIDTEP), Ministry of Education, Nakorn Pathom Province, Thailand.

The two-day workshop focused on assisting the three adopted schools in ensuring their sustainable development by providing them knowledge and skills on school-based development approach to be able to develop and implement a school improvement plan and promote teachers teamwork and sense of ownership.  The administrators and teachers who participated were from the three adopted schools of the SEAMEO Secretariat, namely: Ban Pruewai School in Chachoensao Province, Ban Subsanoon School in Saraburi  Provinceand Chonkanyanukul Saensuk School in Chonburi Province, Thailand.

At the end of the workshop, each school developed and presented a project proposal which is meant to address a specific need and forms part of the school improvement plan.  The Ban Pruewai School proposed a project to improve the teaching of English in the school.  On the other hand, the Ban Subsanoon School planned for the development of lifelong learning and critical thinking skills among students at all levels. Finally, the Chonkanyanukul Saensuk School developed a proposal to improve the existing learning centre of the school to become the SEAMEO Information Technology Centre for students and the community.
 
The implementation of proposals by the schools will take place between December 2009 to March 2010. Meanwhile, the SEAMEO Secretariat will continue to provide technical assistance. 

Dato’ Dr Ahamad bin Sipon, Director of SEAMEO Secretariat welcomes the workshop participants.

Mr Supoet Srinutapong, Director of Public Sector Programme , Microsoft (Thailand) facilitates the workshop.

Participants from Ban Pruewai School	Participants from Chonkanyanukul Saensuk School

Participants from Ban Subsanoon School
Ban Pruewai School presents the proposal to improve the teaching of English.	Ban Subsanoon School presents the proposed project to improve lifelong learning and critical thinking skills of students.