Dedicated to education since 1964, Sarasas Pittaya School stands as a beacon of learning. It has grown into a network of 37 schools. Let’s explore its story.
Sarasas Pittaya School is a private Thai school. It educates around 3,000 Thai-Chinese Buddhist students. These students range from pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12.
The school offers a Bilingual Programme. Foreign teachers teach it in English. Native English speakers deliver the English lessons. The curriculum mirrors what Thai teachers teach. Sarasas Pittaya School also has a Thai Normal Programme. Thai teachers teach all subjects in this program.
Piboon Yongkamol founded the Sarasas network. He is still in charge today. He issues policies and sets the direction for the schools. Pisut Yongkamol, Piboon’s son, serves as the director of Sarasas Ektra School. This was Thailand’s first bilingual school.
In 1993, Sarasas Pittaya School pioneered bilingual education. They started the “Extra Class Program”. Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Physical Education were taught in both English and Thai. This differs from other classes. Usually, foreign teachers teach English as a separate subject.
The school received support from Cambridge Public Schools in Boston. They aided in curriculum and teacher development. The Brisbane Catholic Education Office also assisted. They helped with curriculum and teaching practices.
The Sarasas Affiliated Schools now include 45 schools. Sarasas Ektra School separated from Sarasas Pittaya in 1995. It became the first fully bilingual school in Thailand. The Private Education Commission Board Office granted its license.
Sarasas schools offer a bilingual curriculum. Students learn content in both Thai and English. They aim to be proficient in both languages. Thai and foreign teachers guide them. The curriculum aligns with the Thai Ministry of Education.
Subjects taught in English include English language, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, and Mathematics. Students can also study Chinese. They can switch to Japanese in Primary 4 to 6.
The Sarasas chain includes 24 bilingual schools. It employs over 5,000 Thai teachers. It also has over 1,200 foreign teachers. They educate more than 78,000 students.
Piboon Yongkamol recognized the importance of English early on. He sent his sons to Australia for their education. He has always aspired to develop quality schools.
Sarasas Pittaya School continues to move forward. It provides students with a strong foundation. It prepares them for future success. The school embraces both Thai culture and Western knowledge. It helps students become well-rounded individuals. Sarasas Pittaya School remains committed to educational excellence.