Special High Officials Meeting, 2002

Special High Officials Meeeting
Amari Orchid Resort, Pattaya, Chon Buri, Thailand
29-31 May 2002

Proceedings

Table of
Contents

Summary of Proceedings
Appendices
I.	Remarks by Permanent Secretary of Education, Thailand
II.	Keynote Address by Minister of Education, Thailand and President of SEAMEO Council
III.	List of Participants
IV.	Special High Officials Meeting – A Brief
V.	Agenda
VI.	Programme
VII.	Regional Cooperation on Quality and Equity in Education in SEAMEO Member Countries: A Concept Paper
VIII.	Consolidated Report
IX.	Oxfam Report entitled: Quality Education for All: Priority Actions for Governments, Donors and Civil Society
X.	The Project Task Force– Terms of Reference

Summary of Proceedings
1.	Opening Remarks
	In his Opening Remarks, the Chairperson, Mr Charoon Shoolap, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Thailand, underscored the significance of the meeting which aimed to translate into practical actions the SEAMEO Council’s initiatives in launching a project that would promote equity and quality in education. Specifically, he highlighted the establishment of the proposed Task Force and its Terms of References. He also briefly noted how in Thailand education efforts have been directed towards promoting equity and quality in partnership with the community and the private and industrial sectors. Finally, he thanked the SEAMEO Secretariat for organizing the meeting and expressed his hope that concrete activities would be achieved. The text of the Opening Remarks is in Appendix I.
2.	Keynote Address
	In the Keynote Address delivered by the SEAMEO Council President, His Excellency Mr Suwit Khunkitti, briefly explained how the project was launched upon the approval of the 37th SEAMEO Council Conference held in Chiang Mai early this year. His Excellency also reiterated how the basic idea of the proposal reflected the common concerns of decision makers and educators in the region as identified during the Malacca Workshop in July 2001. Quoting the Prime Minister, His Excellency emphasized how the promotion of equitable and relevant basic education would enable all countries and their peoples to effectively respond to the emerging challenges of globalisation. As a result, the Ministry of Education, Thailand, under His Excellency’s directive, has launched a Decade of Quality and Equity in Education in Thailand beginning this year. His Excellency stressed the importance of sharing best practices in the region, not only at the policy-level but also at the local and school levels. Noting this, His Excellency hoped that the scheduled visits to the Thai schools would provide the participants points for discussion in establishing the SEAMEO coalition of schools for quality and equity. Finally, His Excellency wished the meeting a success and looked forward to meeting the participants again in November during the next High Officials Meeting. The text of the Keynote Address is in Appendix II.
3.	Introduction of Participants
	Led by the Chairperson, the participants introduced themselves to the meeting. The List of Participants is in Appendix III.
4.	Briefing on the Meeting
	Dr Arief S Sadiman, SEAMEO Secretariat Director, briefed the meeting on the goals, objectives and expected output of the Special High Officials Meeting. A copy of the Meeting’s Brief is in Appendix IV.
5.	Adoption of the Agenda and Programme
	The Meeting adopted the agenda and programme as prepared by the SEAMEO Secretariat. Copies of the Agenda and Programme are in Appendices V and VI respectively.
6.	Revisiting the Concept Paper on SEAMEO Regional Cooperation on Quality and Equity in Education in SEAMEO Member Countries
	Ms Savitri Suwansathit, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Education, Thailand led the meeting in revisiting the concept paper. After her presentation, a brief discussion followed and the following points were clarified and emphasized:
	The US$ 50,000 allocated by Thailand as seed money will be used for activities that are covered on a regional undertaking, such as the First Task Force Meeting. Member Countries are encouraged to tap other sources of funds to support activities at the national level. The two-year project constitutes a pilot phase. If proven effective, it could be extended to ensure that its impacts produce multiplier effect. The priority is to select the participating schools, identify best practices within this coalition and determine relevant intervention activities. It is up to the Ministers/Secretary of Education to consider the legislation of the project output. The project puts forward a fresh approach by attempting to present the best practices among schools in the region and elevating them to the policy level. In a way, the project will serve as a research project to supplement case studies that need to be undertaken. A copy of the Concept Paper is in Appendix VII.
7.	Country Paper Presentation by SEAMEO Member Countries
	The delegates presented country reports on Equity and Quality of Education in SEAMEO Member Countries. The consolidated report describing the Current Problems/Issues, Programmes/Projects and Policies of the Member Countries is presented in the attached matrix marked Appendix VIII.
8.	Brief Presentation on Current Education Programmes/Projects by Relevant Agencies and Organization
	The delegate from Oxfam provided the meeting a brief background on Oxfam and circulated a copy of the report entitled “Quality Education for All: Priority Actions for Governments, Donors and Civil Society”. A copy of the paper is in Appendix IX.
9.	School Visits
	The delegates visited two nearby schools, Ban Sri Maharacha School and Surasakwittayakom School and were briefed on the school’s efforts towards promoting quality and equity in education.
10.	Discussion on School Visits
	The meeting expressed their appreciation of the schools’ achievements, noting in particular the clear vision, strong leadership, strategic action plans, entire school commitment and strong community support.
	School representatives participated in the discussion to clarify and elaborate salient points pertaining to academic achievement, community and private sector involvement, policies for handicapped students, non-formal education, among others.
11.	Formulation of the Guidelines in Selecting Participating Schools in the Project
	The meeting adopted the draft guidelines that would form the coalition based on the five aspects presented in the concept paper: 1) School-based management and whole-school approach; 2) Teaching environment and condition; 3) Teachers’ competency and reward system; 4) Curriculum content and learning materials; and 5) Community participation. Based on these aspects, the following guidelines were adopted in selecting schools that would form the coalition:
	1)	Providing equal opportunity to all students, irrespective of gender, race, economic status, religion or ethnic background;
	2)	Primary and/or secondary; including vocational schools
	3)	Rural or urban
	4)	Public or private
	5)	Strong community support
	6)	Well-rounded and balanced achievement in both academic and non-academic activities
	7)	Trained, qualified, committed and competent teachers
	8)	Adequate infrastructure including learning facilities, preferably ICT and other resources
	9)	Strong leadership and effective management
	10)	Adequate budget
	11)	Relevant and responsive curriculum
	12)	Best practices showing innovative approach to teaching and learning
	13)	Big, medium or small sized schools in terms of number of students
	14)	Strong commitment to the Project
	The meeting agreed that the above guidelines are not rigid and that flexibility is encouraged in selecting schools at the national level, to promote diversity, and allow a more dynamic condition in identifying models and best practices that would promote education quality and equity in the region.
12.	Refinement of the Terms of Reference of the Project Task Force
	The meeting adopted the Terms of Reference as presented by the Secretariat with minor amendments as follows:
	V.	Expenses Incurred to attend Meetings
		Travelling expenses of Task Force Members in attending meetings will be shouldered by the Member Countries, but local expenses and accommodations will be taken from Project Funds.
	VII.	Term of Office
		The term of office of elected/appointed officers and members of the Task Force is one year. Chairmanship moves with the SEAMEC presidency.
	The revised Terms of References is in Appendix X.
	The best possible date for the SEAMEO Forum on Educational Quality and Equity is in October 2002.
13.	Induction of Project Task Force Members
	Singapore nominated Thailand as Chairperson and the nomination was seconded by Vietnam. Ms Savitri Suwansathit was elected Chairperson of the Task Force.
	Indonesia nominated the Philippines as Vice-Chairperson and the nomination was seconded by Malaysia. Dr Dinah F Mindo was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Task Force.
	Brunei nominated the SEAMEO Secretariat as Secretary and the nomination was seconded by the Philippines. Dr Arief S Sadiman was elected Secretary of the Task Force.
14.	Follow-up Actions and Budget
	I.	Follow-up Actions
		The project implementation activities in the TOR were discussed and the Meeting agreed on the follow-up actions as follows:
		1)	SEAMEO Member Country representatives should:
			a)	inform their High Officials and/or Ministers/Secretary of Education about the agreements made at this meeting;
			b)	select school(s) based on the agreed criteria;
			c)	consult their Ministers/Secretary of Education in selecting the experts who will be members of the Task Force;
			d)	brief the experts on the project and request them to sign the Induction Form; and
			e)	send results of a), b), c) and d) to the SEAMEO Secretariat by 29 June 2002.
		2)	SEAMEO Secretariat should:
			a)	finalize the meeting report;
			b)	create project website including details and pertinent information on national and regional coalitions;
			c)	facilitate official appointment of Task Force Members by the SEAMEC President;
			d)	coordinate with the Task Force; and
			e)	draft the roles and responsibilities of schools
	II.	Budget
		The Meeting agreed on the two-level budget for project activities:
		a)	Regional Level:
			Travelling expenses of Task Force Members in attending meetings will be shouldered by the Member Countries, but local expenses and accommodations will be taken from Project Funds.
		b)	National Level:
			Expenses for National Coalition activities will be shouldered by the Member Countries.
15.	Other Matters
	The SEAMEO Secretariat announced the call for applications for the SEAMEO-Australia Press Award and the SEAMEO Jasper Fellowship Award.

Last updated: 2 May, 2003

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