San Francisco, April 2026 - The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) programme took the global stage at the 70th Annual Meeting of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES 2026), highlighting how regional collaboration and evidence-driven approaches are advancing foundational learning across Southeast Asia. The SEA-PLM is made possible with the generous support of the Government of the Republic of Korea through the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF).

Held from 28 March to 01 April 2026 in San Francisco, the global conference convened education researchers, policymakers, and development partners to discuss pressing challenges and innovations in education. Through continued investment in foundational learning, SEA-PLM showcased how large-scale learning assessments can support countries in translating data into actionable reforms, particularly critical in the wake of post-COVID-19 disruptions.

Under the symposium title “Foundations First: Investing in Foundational Learning to Transform Education Systems in Southeast Asia,” the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat, co-led by the SEAMEO Secretariat and UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, brought together regional and international partners.

“Foundational learning is not only about school performance, but about children’s ability to participate meaningfully in life beyond the classroom,” said Alejandro Ibanez, speaking during the session.

SEA-PLM, the region’s first large-scale learning assessment designed by and for Southeast Asian countries, measures Grade 5 students’ competencies in reading, writing, and mathematics, alongside contextual data from students, teachers, parents, and schools. Supported by AKCF and key partners, the programme also plays a critical role in strengthening national capacity and enabling countries to monitor progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 4, particularly indicator 4.1.1b on minimum proficiency at the end of primary education.

Findings presented at CIES 2026 point to both progress and ongoing challenges. In 2024, 53 per cent of students across the region achieved minimum proficiency in reading, up from 46 per cent in 2019. In mathematics, the proportion rose to 68 per cent, compared to 56 per cent five years earlier. Despite these gains, a significant share of learners remain at risk: 15 per cent of Grade 5 students demonstrated very low proficiency in reading, and 9 per cent in mathematics.

Mr Alejandro Sinon Ibañez presented key SEA-PLM findings at the CIES 2026 Annual Meeting.

The session underscored that disparities continue to shape learning outcomes. Socio-economic status and language of instruction remain key determinants of student performance across SEA-PLM cycles, reinforcing the need for targeted, data-driven interventions, especially for the most vulnerable learners.

Country experiences highlighted how SEA-PLM evidence is informing reform. In Cambodia, SEA-PLM has been institutionalized within the national policy framework and supports SDG 4 reporting, alongside reforms such as the rollout of Early Grade Learning initiatives and strengthened primary education programmes. In the Philippines, SEA-PLM data is contributing to policy discussions on literacy and numeracy, teacher support, and diagnostic assessment systems, including the development of classroom-aligned tools and open-access item banks.

At the regional level, momentum is growing around foundational learning as a shared priority. Both Cambodia and the Philippines have endorsed the Global Commitment to Action on Foundational Learning, while broader ASEAN engagement is underway. The Philippines is also advancing an ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Foundational Learning under its current chairship.

Looking ahead, SEA-PLM, supported by its partners, aims to accelerate progress toward equitable foundational learning outcomes by 2030. The next assessment cycle, SEA-PLM 2029, is expected to further strengthen the role of data in shaping education policy and practice across the region.

As emphasized during the symposium, SEA-PLM’s mission goes beyond measurement: it seeks to drive systemic transformation by promoting evidence use, strengthening accountability, and fostering a shared regional commitment to ensuring that every child acquires foundational skills for life.

–

SEA-PLM is supported by the  Government of the Republic of Korea through the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF). The content of this article is the sole responsibility of the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat and does not necessarily reflect the views of AKCF.