Education specialists from global and regional organisations lent their expertise during a virtual discussion on the development of the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021–2025.
The ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2016–2020, which was approved at the 9th ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting in 2016, has guided ASEAN Member States (AMS), the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), and ASEAN entities and partners in developing and implementing regional initiatives on education.
As the work plan is approaching its expiry date, ASEC, under the guidance of AMS, has been preparing to develop a successor work plan for 2021–2025.
The development of the next work plan is taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought unprecedented challenges to all sectors of society, including the education sector.
In this regard, the next ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025 is envisioned to be a key guide in realising an ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community 2025 vision of “an ASEAN Community that engages and benefits the peoples and is inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and dynamic.” It will also provide a strong foundation for the region’s education systems.
At the meeting, 40 education specialists shared their expert insights regarding the trends, issues, and developments faced by the region’s education sector. The participating experts likewise exchanged practices and lessons learned in designing and operationalising similar education frameworks and plans. They also discussed innovative ways to design and implement the new work plan. The Philippines and Viet Nam, as Chair and Vice-Chair of the ASEAN education sector for 2020–2021, also contributed to the meeting.
The inputs received at the meeting will be considered in the development of the new work plan.
The ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Education and various key stakeholders in the education sector will further discuss the outcomes of the meeting. The ASEAN education ministers aim to approve the forthcoming work plan in 2021.
The meeting was organised by the Education, Youth and Sports Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, with the support of the German Government’s Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and the Canadian Government.
For inquiries, please contact eysd@asean.org.
