Dili, Timor Leste | Anieluz Pastolero: Timor Leste has firmed up its plans and preparations for the administration of the Main Survey after embarking on the critical in-country planning workshop facilitated by the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat, in collaboration with Timor Leste's National Team. Timor Leste is part of the second batch of countries to conduct the Main Survey beginning in August 2024.

Members of the National Technical Team from the Ministry of Education participating during the workshop discussions.

Over the course of the four-day workshop, the National Team, in close collaboration with the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat, strategised and planned for the successful execution of the Main Survey. Together, they identified standard national activities and necessary resources essential for the seamless implementation of the Main Survey. Throughout the workshop, intensive discussions centred on understanding SEA-PLM 2024 technical standards, aiming to refine and tailor these standards into Timor Leste's unique context. Likewise, emphasis was placed on the effective allocation and utilisation of resources, ensuring that each component of the Main survey operations was meticulously planned and executed.

The SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat, National Team, and ACER during the culmination of the workshop sessions discussing the Field Trial psychometric results in reading.

In addition to the comprehensive planning sessions, discussions delving into Timor Leste's national psychometric report from the Field Trial were also conducted by the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat alongside its technical collaborator, the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). The session served as a capacity building opportunity for the National Team to unpack the results in reading and the implications of these results in terms of curriculum reform, teaching and learning enhancement, and classroom assessment strategy. 

The event garnered positive feedback from the National team highlighted by Mr Abraão Ribeiro Mendonca, the SEA-PLM National Project Manager, who conveyed the teams’ commitment in leveraging the acquired insights and information from the workshop. They aim to enhance the planning and execution of the Main Survey and extend these strategies for the refinement of their national learning assessments. 

Beyond the tactical planning, the workshop facilitated stimulating discussions and knowledge exchange sessions, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in developing and managing international large-scale assessments. 

Siem Reap, Cambodia | Anieluz Pastolero: Back-to-back with the 14th SEA-PLM Regional Steering Committee, the High-Level Regional Conference on Foundational Learning, collaboratively organised by the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat, SEAMEO Secretariat, UNICEF EAPRO, and the ASEAN Secretariat, spotlighted the enduring crisis in foundational learning as well as the progress, gaps, and opportunities for accelerating foundational learning across the region. Drawing from the findings of SEA-PLM 2019 and other international comparative large-scale assessments, substantial gaps in literacy in reading, writing, and math among primary school students have persisted even before the pandemic, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts to support learners across the region.

Several themes and issues were unpacked by the Ministries of Education in the region and foundational learning experts throughout the discussions, ranging from empowering teachers, supporting learners, transforming curriculum, early childhood learning, and financing primary education. The platform provided a rich set of perspectives to key actors in the education arena on the bottlenecks and opportunities to improve the learning crisis, particularly on cultivating foundational learning of children in the region.

The conference concluded with the formulation of the regional priorities for action on foundational learning, aligning with the strategies identified during SEAMEO’s 6th Strategic Dialogue for Education Ministers in February 2023, as committed by the 11 SEAMEO member countries. The outcome document of the Conference will be released upon final consultation with countries. The SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat, with its technical collaborators, is also gearing up for the launch of the SEA-PLM regional reports focused on improving foundational learning across the region, with topics ranging from early childhood learning, equity factors, learning trajectories, and the exploration of global citizenship education.

The event was held on 23 February 2024 and attended by delegates from the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund and the Ministries of Education of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Viet Nam. Representatives from the Global Coalition on Foundational Learning also took part in the panel discussions, including the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, USAID, UNESCO, UNICEF, and World Bank, together with the education and policy experts from the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, Korean Educational Development Institute, Association of Southeast Asian Teacher Education Network, SEAMEO CECCEP, ACER, and British Council.

Siem Reap, Cambodia | Anieluz Pastolero: The SEA-PLM programme kicked off 2024 with the convening of its 14th SEA-PLM Regional Steering Committee meeting, engaging countries and partners in achieving milestones outlined in the SEA-PLM 5-year Strategic Plan. As the programme is poised to begin its second round of assessment, 2024 Main Survey, the meeting focused on the final stages of preparation.

Throughout the meeting, the national technical teams from the seven participating countries, namely, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor Leste, and Vietnam, along with the SEA-PLM technical collaborators, cApStAn LQC and ACER, shared insights from their Field Trial experiences and provided updates on their Main Survey preparations.

Moreover, the meeting also served as a platform for presenting the main findings and policy directions from SEA-PLM regional studies contributed by the UNICEF Innocenti—Global Office of Research and Foresight and De La Salle University. The research presentations showcased the depth of insights gleaned from SEA-PLM 2019 data, enriching the understanding of various equity factors affecting student learning.

Beyond the Main Survey, several dialogues with key partners and technical collaborators were facilitated by the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat, aimed at sustaining and enhancing existing partnerships as the programme enters a critical phase in the implementation of its second cycle.

The conclusion of the 14th Regional Steering Committee meeting saw the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat providing guidance and direction to participating countries regarding the schedule of activities for the upcoming year, emphasising commitments to the work plan designed to promptly deliver the results of the SEA-PLM 2024 assessment.

Notably, the steering committee meeting welcomed the esteemed presence of His Excellency Lee Jang-keun, Korean Ambassador to ASEAN, who reaffirmed the Mission’s continued support for SEA-PLM’s vital work in monitoring and enhancing the quality of learning across the region. His Excellency also lauded the strong partnership between the programme and Korean educational institutions, KEDI and KICE, which plays a crucial role in bolstering the region’s capacity to leverage evidence in improving basic education in Southeast Asia.

In addition, the meeting was honoured by the attendance of His Excellency Dr Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport of Cambodia, who emphasised the significance of the SEA-PLM 2024 Main Survey. He shared insights into Cambodia’s policy reforms and efforts within the Ministry, guided by the SEA-PLM 2019 data and findings. These reforms encompassed enhancements in teacher training, curriculum development, textbook revision, expansion of pre-school facilities, and fostering parental involvement in schools.

The SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat with its co-chairs, SEAMEO Secretariat and UNICEF EAPRO, and funding partners, the ASEAN Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund and the ASEAN Secretariat

The 14th Regional Steering Committee Meeting also provided an opportunity for programme co-chairs, SEAMEO Secretariat and UNICEF EAPRO, to convene with the ASEAN Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF) and the ASEAN Secretariat for the 4th SEA-PLM Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting.

In this PSC meeting, the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat presented an overview of the progress made in fulfilling the SEA-PLM project workplan within the broader SEA-PLM programme regional workplan. As the culmination of the initial phase of the AKCF project draws near, deliberations centred on strategic planning and measures to seamlessly conclude the second cycle and transition to the third cycle, including the 3rd round of assessment, SEA-PLM 2028.

With the guidance of AKCF and ASEAN Secretariat, the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat has indicated its readiness to manage forthcoming processes and protocols to ensure the continued commitment of SEA-PLM in monitoring and improving student learning outcomes in the region.

Among the distinguished participants of the regional steering committee meeting were representatives from the SEA-PLM Core Member countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor Leste, and Vietnam. Additionally, Honorary Member countries of Brunei Darussalam and Thailand were in attendance, alongside delegates from the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund, ACER, cApStAn LQC, British Council, Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, Korean Educational Development Institute, UNICEF, and UNESCO. The events took place from 21st to 22nd February 2024 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Seoul, Republic fo Korea | Apiradee Treerutkuarkul: The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) Regional Secretariat has advanced the preparation for the Main Survey in 2024 by hosting the 3rd SEA-PLM Regional Technical Workshop from 11 to 15 December 2023, in collaboration with the Korea Institute for
Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE).

This collaborative effort engaged participating countries and partners in active discussions surrounding the psychometric results of cognitive and contextual instruments. National experiences gleaned from the Field Trial operations showcased best practices and lessons learned that can help inform the Main survey operations. Guided by the SEA-PLM technical standards, countries deliberated and agreed on the final selection of test items, instruments, procedures for the upcoming assessment scheduled for next year.

Crucial to this regional event was the annual gathering of national technical teams, essential for aligning and synchronising national and regional calendars and expectations. The alignment aimed to ensure a seamless and timely execution of programme activities both at the regional and national levels.

Present during the event were the national teams of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Timor Leste, and Viet Nam, co-chairs of the SEA-PLM programme—SEAMEO Secretariat and UNICEF EAPRO, key partners from AKCF and ASEAN Secretariat, technical experts from ACER and cApStAn LQC, among other collaborators of the programme.

Dr. Jimin Cho, Vice-President of KICE, acknowledged the significant milestones achieved in preparing for the 2024 assessment. Dr. Cho also articulated a vision of transforming the program into a sustainable and robust mechanism for monitoring student learning outcomes in the region.

The SEA-PLM Co-chairs, led by Datuk Dr. Habibah Abdul Rahim, Director of SEAMEO Secretariat, and Ms. Mitsue Uemura, Regional Education Advisor of UNICEF EAPRO, commended the diligent efforts of participating countries and the guidance provided by technical partners. They emphasized the foundational work undertaken to facilitate the successful execution of the Main Survey the following year. Furthermore, they urged all workshop participants to not only focus on assessment plans but also to recommit to the core objective of the programme – collectively enhancing the quality and equity of education across the region.