SEAMEO Brings Various Sectors to Rethink Education in Southeast Asia

Addressing the theme œSoutheast Asia in Transition: Re-thinking Education, Science and Culture for Regional Integration , the SEAMEO Congress generated rich discussions on innovative policies and strategies in pursuit of making education in Southeast Asia more relevant. The two-day event highlighted the need to innovate and accelerate human resource development in the region to make it more responsive and supportive of the aspiration for an integrated community among the nations of Southeast Asia. The theme also resonated the œGolden SEAMEO  vision that is characterized, among others, by programme responsiveness and thriving application of modern technologies.

The SEAMEO Congress attracted participation from Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific and beyond including stakeholders from different sectors and levels such as policy-makers, education and development practitioners, academics, scholars, international organizations, business and industry, and students.

Presentations and discussions focused on the realities and implications of regionalization in theory and in practice, not only in education but also in science and culture. Speakers from both governments and the private sector from Southeast Asia and beyond shared policies and reforms, innovations, and success stories on three inter-related sub-themes, namely, reshaping education to bridge skills gap, enhancing science and technology education, and promoting cultural diversity and development. Participants shared expertise and interfaced across ministerial, plenary, parallel, poster, and synthesis sessions.

During the ministerial session, H E Dr Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport of Cambodia placed emphasis on the needed training and education for jobs of the future which would result from the integration process in the region. As such, he suggested a two-track approach to address the issue by continuously providing access to education, and ensuring that education and training is linked to industry and focuses on skills that are needed by future employers. In support of this assertion, H E Pehin Abu BakarApong, Minister of Education of Brunei Darussalam emphasized the need for true reforms in education, and cited that unsuccessful reform spends 90% effort on policy and 10% on implementation, thus resulting to poor return of investment. Accordingly, the balance between policy development and policy implementation should be given greater attention.

H E Br Armin A Lusitro, Secretary of Education of the Philippines also emphasized the importance of rethinking education to align it with the aim of the ASEAN community. He cautioned, however, on the temptation and convenience of uniformity in the name of regional integration. He reminded instead on the importance of recognizing diversity, and called for special attention to the disadvantaged communities in the region which he referred to as œthe lost, the last and the least  in the integration efforts in Southeast Asia.

Every single moment of the SEAMEO Congress was put to good use including breaks in between sessions where opportunity for networking was provided through exhibits and poster presentations. Participants took advantage of the opportunity to establish networks and cooperative work with like-minded individuals and institutions.

Other sharing and learning opportunities at the SEAMEO Congress include exhibitions and poster presentations which provide practical occasion for participants to connect and build new acquaintances and partnerships.

Sixty speakers, presenters and moderators took part in the SEAMEO Congress which include ministers and high-level education officials, international and intergovernmental organizations such as the ASEAN Secretariat and UNESCO; universities, SEAMEO Centres, and many eminent persons in Southeast Asia.

The two-day event consisted of three plenary sessions that attempted to address the fundamentals of innovation, development, and cooperation as they relate to regional integration in Southeast Asia and the world. A second layer of discussions comprised parallel sessions that provided dedicated dialogues on the aspects of education, science and culture. Two separate sessions were also organized focusing on technical and vocational education, and equity, inclusion and learning led respectively by SEAMEO VOCTECH and the UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office.

Resource persons, speakers, and moderators provide key input during the two-day SEAMEO Congress.

Key recommendations from the Congress include improving governance and provision of more supportive enabling environment; strengthening effective links between and among formal, non-formal and informal education systems to better address educational needs; contextualizing education in existing social-cultural systems; matching school curricula with labor market demands, and for global citizenship; supporting school leadership development; accelerating strategic multi-stakeholder collaboration; maximizing the use of ICT; promoting STEM education and innovation for entrepreneurship in all education levels; and promoting continuous capacity building.

The SEAMEO Congress is one of the 12 strategies identified in the SEAMEO Strategic Plan 2011-2020. It is envisioned as a forum for seeking recommendations on educational, scientific and cultural themes and emerging issues of international and regional concern. The SEAMEO Congress aims to contribute to enhancing regional understanding and cooperation among educators and SEAMEO stakeholders in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Key organizers of the SEAMEO Congress include the SEAMEO Secretariat, the British Council, and the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology (IPST) of Thailand. Other supporters include banks, private multinational companies, education and development-focused foundations, United Nations agencies, other inter-governmental agencies, and others.

The SEAMEO Congress serves as meeting platform for various stakeholders on education, science and culture. It contributes to enhancing regional understanding and cooperation among educators and SEAMEO stakeholders in Southeast Asia and beyond.