ABSTRACT
This study aims to explore factors affecting teacher quality and teacher development at the primary school level. A survey was conducted to analyse the training needs of primary school teachers. The participants were 335 teachers from all regions in Thailand who responded to the questionnaire anonymously. They were divided into two groups, those working before and those working after the National Education Act (1999), which marked the change in Thai educational management including teacher education. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 12 teachers from all the regions to gain in-depth information of their needs to corroborate the data from the survey and obtain more in-depth data. The findings reveal that the needs of the two groups of participants were quite similar. However, the younger generation preferred using technology and would like to have more training on material design and teaching phonics. The data from the interview with the younger generation also reveal perceptions towards their needs and training. Implications of the high-rated needs and the directions for teacher development and teacher training of primary school teachers are discussed.
