Abstract
Background: Although teachers responsible for the school lunch program were trained by the Ministry of Education (MOE) staff, they were not equipped with the basic knowledge of nutrition for children. This study aimed to develop and implement a unique, tailored school lunch training program for teachers and their stakeholders.
Methods: The training program was developed using the “Design for Learning (D4L) model.” Public primary schools run by the government from all regions of Thailand were selected. Target persons included principals, health teachers, nutrition teachers, cooks, and local staff from the MOE. All participants participated in a 5-day training course. They were tested on their knowledge before and after the training.
Results: The training course consisted of six modules. A total of 510 participants were selected from 109 schools. The average overall score increased from 54% at baseline to 70% after the training, with significant improvements in knowledge for all topics. Post-training scores of cooks were significantly different from others.
Conclusions: The improvement of participants’ knowledge from baseline to the end of the training met our a priori criteria for success. The benefits of this training program included short-term satisfaction and knowledge gain among participants.
Keywords: Thai school lunch training program, Professional training, Design for learning, Learning environment
Recommended Citation
Chammari K, Keeratichamroen A, Sranacharoenpong K,
et al.
Development and Implementation of a Unique, Tailored School Lunch Training Program for Teachers and their Stakeholders at Public Primary Schools in Thailand.
J Health Res.
2024;
38(2):-.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/2586-940X.1065
References
[1] Jitnarin N, Kosulwat V, Rojroongwasinkul N, Boonpraderm A, Haddock CK, Poston WS. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Thai population: results of the National Thai Food Consumption Survey. Eat Weight Disord. 2011 Dec;16(4):e242-9. doi: 10.1007/BF03327467.
[2] Yamborisut U, Mo-Suwan L. Prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity in Thailand: a review. J Med Assoc Thai. 2014 Jan;97(1):44-51.
[3] Thailand, Ministry of Education. School lunch fund implementation guide. Bangkok: Office of the Welfare Promotion Commission for Teachers and Educational Personnel; 2016.
[4] Gould R, Russell J, Barker ME. School lunch menus and 11 to 12 year old children's food choice in three secondary schools in England-are the nutritional standards being met? Appetite. 2006 Jan;46(1):86-92. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2005.08.005.
[5] Inthivorn P. The study of school lunch program on nutritional aspect in primary schools of Border Patrol Police General Headquarters. Nakhon Pathom: Mahidol University; 1998.
[6] Kai E, Pongpanich S, Sinawat S. A comparison study of the school lunch program in the public primary schools belong to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Thai Ministry of Education (MOE). J Health Res. 2008;22(3):147-50.
[7] Sangwirach S. The study of the impact of school lunch and school milk programs on nutritional aspects in primary schools of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Nakhon Pathom: Mahidol University; 1998.
[8] United Nations Children’s Fund. World Food Programme. The essential package: twelve interventions to improve the health and nutrition of school age children [Internet]. 2002 [cited 2022 Apr 20]. Available from: https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/poverty/PovertyForum/Documents/The%20Essential%20Package.pdf
[9] Roth-Yousey L, Barno T, Caskey M, Asche K, Reicks M. Whole-grain continuing education for school foodservice personnel: keeping kids from falling short. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2009 Nov-Dec;41(6):429-35. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2008.07.002.
[10] Wexler-Robock S. Healthy eating for a healthy start demonstration project 2010-2011 year one evaluation report [Internet]. 2011 [cited 2022 Apr 2]. Available from: https://cmom.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Dynamic-Research-Head-Start-Report-Year-1_Final.pdf
[11] Sherman J, Muehlhoff E. Developing a nutrition and health education program for primary schools in Zambia. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2007 Nov-Dec;39(6):335-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2007.07.011.
[12] Salter D, Richards L, Carey T. The ‘T5’design model: an instructional model and learning environment to support the integration of online and campus-based courses. Educational Media International. 2004;41(3):207-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/09523980410001680824
[13] Forehand M. Bloom’s taxonomy: emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology [Internet]. 2010 [cited 2022 Apr 10]. Available from:
https://www.d41.org/cms/lib/il01904672/centricity/domain/422/bloomstaxonomy.pdf
[14] Sirichakwal PP, Sranacharoenpong K, Tontisirin K. Food based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) development and promotion in Thailand. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2011;20(3):477-83.
[15] Thailand, Ministry of Public Health, Department of Health, Bureau of Health Promotion and Ministry of Education, Office of The Basic Education Commission of Thailand, Office of School Lunch Project. Student Lunch Management Guide according to nutritional standards Food sanitation and food safety for elementary school. Bangkok: Ministry; 2015.
[16] Cortina JM. What is coefficient alpha? An examination of theory and applications. J Appl Psychol. 1993;78(1):98.
[17] Jarrett LE, Field D, Koppi T. An action learning approach to changing teaching practice using group reflection on student and graduate feedback. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education. 2011;19(1):43–54.
[18] Ambrose SA, Bridges MW, DiPietro M, Lovett MC, Norman MK. How learning works: seven research-based principles for smart teaching. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons; 2010.
[19] Thailand, Ministry of Education. Strategic plan of primary school lunch program fund 2018-2021 (update fiscal year 2021). Bangkok: Ministry of Education; 2020.
[20] Pinsawas B, Sranacharoenpong K, Supwarobol S, Pornkasemsuk S, Mongkolsucharitkul P, Sittikho N. Development of Food Service Management Course Curriculum for Lay-Chefs in Primary Schools in Bangkok. J Nutr Assoc Thailand. 2019;54(2):23–33.
[21] Sranacharoenpong K, Praditsorn P, Churak P. Developing a diabetes prevention education program for community health care workers in Thailand: translation of the knowledge to at-risk people. J Public Health. [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2023 Jun 16]; Available from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/46258
[22] Edmunds C, Lowe K, Murray M, Seymour A. The ultimate educator: achieving maximum adult learning through training and instruction. Washington, DC: US Department of Justice, Office of Victims of Crime; 2009.