The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) joined in the recent 53rd SEAMEO Council conference, convened from 1 - 3 July 2025 at the Empire Brunei in Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam. The council conference witnessed the turn-over of the SEAMEO Council Presidency from the Philippines to Brunei Darussalam, highlighting a pivotal moment for renewed commitment for the advancement of education, science, and culture across Southeast Asia.
The SEAMEO Council Conference is a high-level annual meeting organized by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). It serves as a vital platform for member countries to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange educational strategies, and adopt regional commitments to enhance quality and equitable education in the region. In a closed-door special session on “Regional Cooperation to Improve Quality and Equity in Education,” the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat unveiled preliminary regional findings from its 2024 Main Survey the first comprehensive cross-country look at post-COVID-19 learning outcomes in Southeast Asia. Centered on foundational learning among Grade 5 students, the briefing provided a clear, comparable snapshot of where recovery stands, where gaps persist, and which equity challenges demand urgent attention. By placing these early results at the heart of the discussion, the session framed a concrete agenda for regional collaboration using shared evidence to guide policy dialogue, target support, and accelerate learning gains across the region.
Mr. Alejandro Ibanez (SEA-PLM Programme Manager and Policy Specialist, and Ms. Linda Johnsson (Educational Specialist. UNICEF EAPRO), presented the results of SEA-PLM 2024
The session began with a presentation of key findings from the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2024 Main Survey. This presentation highlighted the continued regional collaboration to improve foundational learning outcomes. Of particular importance, the 2024 Main Survey offered the first comprehensive regional data on the learning achievements of children post-COVID-19, providing valuable insights to inform policy and practice.
The presentation was led by Mr. Alejandro Ibanez, SEA-PLM Programme Manager and Policy Specialist, and Ms. Linda Johnson, Education Specialist from UNICEF EAPRO.. The results, albeit under embargo, focused on regional trends and key patterns in various foundational areas of literacy and numearcy, and contextual factors from the data collected across the participating Ministries of Education of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam.
The completion of the second round of SEA-PLM assessment, SEA-PLM 2024, registered high participation rates from students and schools across the seven countries, indicating fidelity to the sampling design and ensuring that results are nationally representative and demonstrate strong data reliability and comparability over time. The 2024 assessments were conducted in various national or official languages, increasing the number of national languages from 9 to 11, demonstrating the depth and inclusivity of the programme.
His Excellency Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, Secretary of Education for the Philippines and SEAMEO Council President give a closing remarks
Minister of Education of Brunei Darussalam and SEAMEO Council president, Her Excellency Datin Seri Setia Dr. Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Md Salleh, emphasized the significance of the SEA-PLM findings., “understanding these disparities is critical. SEA-PLM data equips us with the knowledge to create inclusive and effective educational strategies that ensure no child is left behind.”
Moving forward, countries have unified into a clear roadmap which showcased the commitment of participating countries to utilize the 2024 main survey data and generate meaningful insights that can help accelerate evidence-based reforms in their respective basic education systems. All of these actions lead to the strategic preparations for the next assessment cycle, SEA-PLM 2029, which offers a critical opportunity to deliver the final reporting on UN SDG 4 targets set for 2030.
In closing, His Excellency Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, Secretary of Education for the Philippines and outgoing SEAMEO Council President, highlighted the collaborative spirit driving SEA-PLM“ SEA-PLM exemplifies the collective action needed to address the region's educational challenges. It is through these joint efforts that will build stronger, more resilient education systems for the future of Southeast Asia.”
SEAMEO Council Conference successfully reaffirmed regional commitments to education, underscoring SEA-PLM’s essential role in fostering collaborative strategies for quality education and equity throughout Southeast Asia.
