Peace Education in Southern Thailand: Implementing Conflict-Sensitive Pedagogy in Islamic Schools
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บทคัดย่อ
The protracted ethno-political conflict in the Deep South of Thailand poses enduring challenges to peace and social cohesion, particularly among the region’s diverse communities. This study investigates how peace education grounded in Islamic ethical principles can contribute to deradicalization, strengthen multicultural understanding, and promote sustainable peacebuilding. Conducted in three private Islamic schools in the Deep South of Thailand, this study investigates the transformative potential of faith-based peace education as a mechanism for peacebuilding, social cohesion, and deradicalization in a multicultural and conflict-affected context. This research is grounded in core Islamic ethical frameworks: justice (ʿAdl), emphasizing fairness and equity; compassion (Rahmah), promoting empathy and solidarity; and dialogue (Hiwar), encouraging peaceful negotiation, and mutual understanding. These principles guide educational practices that promote justice, empathy, and dialogue, aligning with peace education's aim to overcome structural violence and build inclusive, harmonious communities. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected from 28 informants, including educators, administrators, and students, through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis. The findings reveal that peace education initiatives cultivate empathy, encourage constructive dialogue, and support non-violent approaches to conflict resolution. Such outcomes are particularly effective when supported by targeted teacher training and inclusive community involvement. Despite these positive developments, the study identifies persistent obstacles: limited institutional resources, intergenerational trauma, and unresolved historical grievances continue to challenge the implementation and impact of peace education. Nevertheless, when contextually adapted and anchored in Islamic teachings, peace education emerges as a vital instrument for fostering resilience, unity, and social transformation. This research highlights education's vital role in peacebuilding, showing that integrating faith-based ethics with context-sensitive teaching supports deradicalization and social cohesion. The findings underscore the need for long-term commitment, collaborative stakeholder engagement, and policy support to realize the full potential of peace education in promoting enduring social cohesion.
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