SCB Academy Launches 'AFAST Smart School' in Collaboration with eight Partners to Redefine Classrooms and Empower Teachers as Learning Designers

Siam Commercial Bank, through SCB Academy, is advancing the systematic development of Thai human capital with the launch of the "AFAST Smart School" initiative. Under the Bank's "Digital Bank with a Human Touch" strategy, the program brings together eight partners from the education, technology, and social sectors to elevate the role of Thai teachers from traditional instructors to learning designers, preparing students to navigate the digital era with confidence and resilience.

Mr. Worawat Suvagondha, Chief People Officer at Siam Commercial Bank, stated, "The AFAST Smart School project marks a transformative step in reimagining Thailand's education system. Teachers are the cornerstone of sustainable learning, and by equipping them with modern skills and tools, we not only enhance the teaching experience but also invest in the development of high-quality human capital vital to the country's future economic growth. AFAST Smart School is part of the broader AFAST Smart Project, which promotes lifelong learning by developing four core 21st-century skills: Digital Skills, Self-Mastery, Cognitive Skills, and Team Collaboration. The initiative also seeks to ensure equitable access to knowledge and technology for both teachers and students across the nation."

The AFAST Smart School project aligns with the objectives of Thailand's 20-Year National Education Plan (2018–2037), which emphasizes improving education quality, enhancing teacher competencies, promoting lifelong learning, and integrating technology into education. The project is driven by three key objectives:

1. Transforming the Teaching Process through Competency-Based Learning: Empowering teachers to design learning experiences that cultivate essential 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, in line with the national strategy to elevate the effectiveness of education.
2. Integrating EdTech & Innovative Teaching: Equipping teachers with digital skills and innovative teaching tools to enhance instructional quality, create engaging and modern learning experiences, and foster active learning among students.
3. Developing Professional Learning Communities and Coaching for Teachers: Fostering a culture of continuous professional growth by enabling teachers to share knowledge, collaborate, and refine their practices. This approach supports the design of effective, student-centered learning experiences that meet the evolving needs of 21st-century learners.

The success of the AFAST Smart School project stems from strategic collaboration among the education sector, the technology sector, and civil society. Key partners include SCB Academy, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KX), Microsoft (Thailand), the Thailand Association for Educational Communications and Technology (Thai AECT), the Association of Curriculum and Instruction of Thailand, the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), the Center for Morality Promotion (Public Organization), and Phumtawan Witthaya Foundation School. Each partner plays a vital role in providing systematic interconnected support that enables teachers to access essential knowledge and ensures the sustainable scaling of the initiative.

The project's impact is already evident in students' evolving learning behaviors. They are more confident in expressing themselves, thinking critically, asking questions, and actively participating in class. Meanwhile, teachers have become more confident in designing creative, flexible, and contextually relevant learning experiences. In its next phase, the project aims to expand by establishing model schools and organizing open-house activities to facilitate knowledge exchange and showcase best practices. These efforts will strengthen collaboration across the network and support the long-term advancement of education policy and practice at the national level.

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ประชาสัมพันธ์ ธนาคารไทยพาณิชย์ จำกัด (มหาชน)

จิตตินี จอมปรัชญา โทร. 098-9235915 Email : chittinee.jompratchaya@scb.co.th

กุณฑลี โพธิ์แก้ว โทร. 086-1308560 Email: koontalee.pokaew@scb.co.th

See more illustrations: https://www.am-pm.me/2025/06/illustration-scb-academy-launches-afast.html