Creating a positive path towards learning improvement post-COVID

The role of SEA-PLM's learning assessment programme is critical in the post-COVID-19 era. The pandemic increased the number of out-of-school children and the learning loss of those enrolled in real and virtual classrooms. Learning assessments such as SEA-PLM are essential in evaluating students' learning, supporting learning recovery and advancement towards learning goals.

Several months of school closures and unplanned digital and blended learning will require robust efforts to come back better. Despite the setback, the COVID-19 pandemic has also brought opportunities to experiment with hybrid and flexible learning and organizational pathways in education delivery and services. Several of these innovations can inspire and influence reform agendas.

As students return to schools in the region, countries and education stakeholders will need clear equity learning strategies, better implementation capacity, sufficient financial and human resources, and sturdy monitoring and improvement loop mechanisms to continue a positive path towards learning improvement. The SEA-PLM programme proposes that all countries in Southeast Asia and their partners pay close attention and continue to improve the capacity to measure learning outcomes, use data, and allow for peer exchange on policies and practices.