Innovate to Educate

ASEAN and its Member States are keenly aware of the challenges posed by accelerated digitalisation and its impact on society, including the rapidly changing world of work. Moreover, the Member States recognise the need to integrate sustainable development goals into their education systems and strengthen resilience to future trends and disruptions.

Research shows that the rapid pace of brain development in the first years of life makes early childhood a crucial period for intervention. This presents governments with a vital opportunity to positively impact children’s lives. Investing in early childhood care and education is not only beneficial for individual children, but also supports broader national social, economic, and sustainable development goals.

The ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) is a regional framework that compares higher education qualifications across ASEAN Member States based on learning outcomes. It offers a neutral influence on national qualifications frameworks (NQF) or national qualifications systems (NQS) so that Member States can be responsive to national priorities. While it plays a significant role in creating transparency and enhancing the zone of trust, the AQRF is not a tool for automatic recognition, st

SEAMEO VOCTECH is a Regional Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, established on 28 August 1990 from a Memorandum of Agreement between the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) and the Government of Brunei Darussalam. It is one of 26 centres under SEAMEO. in line with its Five Year Development Plan, SEAMEO VOCTECH continues to strengthen its services to support technical and vocational education and training (TVET) trainers, academics, and managers i

Teacher education supports the development of quality teachers, education leaders, and research that influences teaching practice and policies. It directly impacts student learning outcomes, professional practices, and educational standards. Vital regional teacher education initiatives can contribute to developing evidence-based and innovative pedagogies and solutions to diverse educational challenges. In ASEAN, teacher education can be essential for raising awareness about ASEAN and developing

In 2023, UNESCO released the Guidance for Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in Education and Research as a response to the intensified discussions surrounding the social and ethical implications of AI. UNESCO emphasises the importance of adopting a human-centred perspective when developing policies and regulations regarding the application of GenAI in education and research. Below are some of the salient provisions of the guidelines.

The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Policy Brief is a publication of the ASCC Department at the ASEAN Secretariat. It identifies trends and challenges that will impact ASEAN and ASCC sectors and propose policy-relevant solutions and recommendations to uplift the quality of lives of ASEAN people.

Inclusive education for all students, including those with disabilities, is high-quality education that not only teaches students valuable skills but also fosters a sense of belonging. Inclusive education is necessary at preschool, primary, secondary, and post-secondary school; technical and vocational training; lifelong learning; and extracurricular and social activities.

Fifty-two-year-old Saur Marlina Manurung, better known as Butet Manurung, is the woman behind Sokola Institute. The organisation implement literacy programmes targeting various underserved and marginalised communities in Indonesia, including ethnic groups, disaster-prone areas, and regions with high illiteracy rates.

India’s education system, rooted in rich traditions and values, is a testament to the nation’s commitment to nurturing intellectual growth and innovation. It is known for its rigorous curriculum, which emphasises discipline and hard work. India’s education system accommodates a diverse range of learners from various cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This inclusivity fosters a rich learning environment where students can interact with peers from different walks of life, promoti

The ASEAN-ROK Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Mobility Programme, supported by the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), is a strategic investment in the region’s human capital. Optimising TVET programmes and fostering collaboration contribute to building a skilled workforce that is crucial for ASEAN’s economic development and community-building efforts.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the discipline of creating intelligent machines capable of analytical reasoning, enabling organisations to operate effectively and with foresight. The current estimated value of the global AI market is 197 billion US dollars, and projections indicate that it will reach 1.8 trillion US dollars by 2030, expanding at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.3 per cent from 2023 to 2030.

Spices are an integral part of Southeast Asian cuisine. They create the unique flavour profile of our countries’ most iconic dishes. Think of tom yum without galangal and chilli peppers, or pho without coriander, cardamom, and star anise.

Transforming education is both an imperative and an opportunity. Our region’s net enrolment and completion rates in primary and secondary education have markedly increased. Substantial progress has also been made towards achieving gender parity in gross enrolment in primary education. The education sector boasts significant developments in promoting higher education and lifelong learning.

“In education, we cannot afford a simple goal,” Najelaa Shihab told The ASEAN in an interview in Jakarta.

Every day, Jenilyn de la Cruz gets up at 3:30 a.m. to make her 7:30 a.m. class at the Lopero Elementary School, in a remote village in Zamboanga del Norte, Southern Philippines. It is a gruelling 65-kilometre motorcycle ride to the school, one of over 7,000 multigrade schools in the country. Teacher Jen is one of only four full-time teachers handling multigrade classes and multiple subjects in the school. She handles a combined class of 5th and 6th graders, and teaches all eight subjects require

Jenilyn de la Cruz—Teacher Jen—is in her ninth year as a multigrade teacher at Lopero Elementary School. The job is demanding and requires multi-tasking skills, flexibility, and improvisation.