Asian ministers mull ways to enhance education quality, access
 
Efforts to improve the quality of and access to education across Southeast Asia received a boost from talks involving the Governing Board of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation Centre for Educational Development (SEAMEO CED) in Vientiane last week.
The meeting brought together ministers of education and representatives from SEAMEO member countries, highlighting the commitment of the region to advancing educational development and cooperation.

Officials from S.E. Asian education ministries join the Governing Board of SEAMEO for a meeting in Vientiane last week.

Speaking at the event, SEAMEO CED Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr Niane Sivongxay, said “This annual meeting makes recommendations and decisions and guides the Centre’s direction for the next fiscal year in terms of developing core research projects and consultancy services, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos and the SEAMEO Secretariat.”
She added “With the education development support of the Lao government, which creates opportunities for all Lao citizens to have equitable access to quality education, our Centre plays a significant role in addressing barriers to inclusion and supporting local communities to engage with schools.”
During the meeting, board members discussed key initiatives and strategies aimed at enhancing education quality and access within Southeast Asia.
The agenda included a review of past projects, ongoing collaborative efforts, and future proposals designed to address educational challenges in the region as well as the election of a new chair and vice chair of the Governing Board meeting.
Participants discussed signification points, agreements, and action taken on key agenda items from SEAMEO conferences and meeting held in fiscal year 2023-2024, and other topics.
The meeting underscored the importance of regional collaboration, especially in light of the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic and the pressing need for digital transformation in education.
In 2023-2024 SEAMEO signed a cooperation agreement with the Asia Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding under the auspices of UNESCO (APCEIU), for the APCEIU’s Global Citizenship Education (GCED) Cooperation Centre Project.
This cooperation aimed to strengthen the institutional capacities of teacher education institutions with a focus on Global Citizenship Education by establishing GCED Cooperation Centres. These will serve as pivotal hubs to practice and spread Global Citizenship Education at the country and sub-regional levels.
The success of the SEAMEO CED contributes to the SEAMEO mission to enhance regional understanding, cooperation, and unity among member countries for a better quality of life through the establishment of networks and partnerships between policymakers and experts and the promotion of sustainable human resource development.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 2, 2024)