The SEAMEO Secretariat served as co-lead of the ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girls' Education (ASEAN-UK SAGE) Programme alongside the British Council, in partnership with ACER and EdTech Hub. The programme focused on three pillars: foundational learning, out-of-school children and youth (OOSCY), and gender barriers to basic digital skills for employment.

ASEAN-UK SAGE supports practical responses to shared education challenges across Southeast Asia. The programme implemented five pilot initiatives in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines; generated research through the OOSCY Rapid Scoping Study, thematic papers, and country case studies; supported SEA-PLM activities and technical networks; and strengthened regional cooperation through mechanisms such as the revitalised ASEAN Working Group on OOSCY. While not exhaustive, these examples reflect the programme's commitment to evidence-informed approaches and regional cooperation.

Foundational Learning: The Bedrock of Human Capital

Southeast Asia is projected to become one of the world's largest economic regions in the coming decades, with the quality of its human capital ultimately determining its success. At the heart of this potential is foundational learning—the literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills developed during the early years.

Yet the region continues to face what many describe as a "silent crisis" in learning. SEA-PLM 2024 found that nearly one in two learners do not meet minimum reading expectations, while one in three struggle with foundational mathematics. Significant disparities persist, with learning gaps of almost two years between socioeconomic groups and 15 per cent of learners performing at very low levels in reading.

Encouragingly, SEAMEO Member Countries are responding through curriculum reforms, structured pedagogy, remedial programmes, community reading initiatives, and stronger use of evidence.

Ultimately, evidence matters most when it informs policy and action, helping countries identify priorities and support learners most at risk of falling behind.

Beyond Access: When Learners Fall Through the Cracks

ASEAN-UK SAGE contributed to expanding the understanding of out-of-school children and youth across Southeast Asia. Through the Southeast Asia Rapid Scoping Study on OOSCY, thematic papers, and country case studies, the programme strengthened the regional evidence base on educational exclusion and brought greater visibility to learners often overlooked in national statistics.

The 2024 study estimated that 11.8 million children and youth of compulsory school age remain out of school across the region. Beyond the headline figures, the research highlighted how poverty, disability, migration, geographic isolation, and limited access to flexible learning pathways contribute to exclusion. It also drew attention to a "hidden" group of learners who, despite remaining formally enrolled, face barriers that place them at risk of dropping out.

These findings underscore the importance of early detection and intervention. Identifying at-risk learners and responding more flexibly may be among the most effective ways to ensure that no learner is left behind.

Findings also informed an ASEAN-UK SAGE-supported bridge-to-school initiative in the Philippines, where Youth Impact Philippines used mobile phone-based tutoring to strengthen foundational numeracy and support learners' return to education.

Regional Cooperation and National Priorities

ASEAN-UK SAGE reflects the ambition of ASEAN-UK cooperation in supporting SEAMEO Member Countries to advance national education priorities. The programme also underscores the value of trusted partnerships capable of navigating Southeast Asia's diverse and evolving education landscape.

As countries pursue different priorities and are at various stages of reform, regional cooperation is most effective when it remains responsive to national needs and aligned with regional frameworks. Through its technical expertise and close engagement with Ministries of Education, the SEAMEO Secretariat supports partners in navigating regional complexities and ensuring impactful and sustainable interventions.

Ultimately, regional cooperation can substantially support and strengthen foundations, and ASEAN-UK cooperation remains a valuable partnership contributing to our shared future.

The ASEAN UK SAGE Programme Phase 1 concluded in March 2026. FCDO is facilitating the tender process and transition to Phase 2, expected to begin within 2026.