NEWS
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Accessing SEA-PLM 2024 Survey Technical Standards!
The Technical Standards serve as the guiding principles for survey activities within the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) assessment, 2024 cycle, aimed at generating a high-quality regional dataset. These standards establish a reference point for assessing the compliance of data quality and project implementation procedures by participating countries and technical organisations involved in SEA-PLM 2024, enabling effective monitoring.
The Technical Standards have been updated and approved by the SEA-PLM 2024 bodies drawing upon the SEA-PLM 2019 regional and national experiences, as well as the latest programme developments. The standards promote the need for consistency, precision and generalisability of the collected data, while also acknowledging the necessity of a certain level of variability inherent in a regional assessment of this nature.
SEA-PLM supports the entry of Timor Leste into the learning assessment arena
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.
Creating a roadmap to accelerate foundational learning in Southeast Asia
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.
SEA-PLM advances 2024 Main Survey through strengthened collaboration with key partners in the region
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.
SEA-PLM keeps momentum for the 2024 Main Survey
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.
Empowering CLM Countries: Enhancing Basic Education through SEA-PLM Capacity Building
The Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE) is at the forefront, providing invaluable technical assistance to the SEA-PLM participating countries, namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar (CLM), as a contribution to the pillars of the SEA-PLM programme.
The core mission of the partnership between the SEAMEO Secretariat, through the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat, and KICE supports the fulfilment of one of SEA-PLM’s guiding pillars, empowering CLM countries in analysing assessment data and developing capacities to improve national education policies and practices through the co-implementation of contextualised capacity-building workshops.
Delegates from Myanmar (left) and Cambodia (right) participated in hands-on activities on item development aligned with Math-based curriculum during the first day of the workshop
As part of the capacity-building component of the SEA-PLM programme, KICE meticulously crafted a comprehensive face-to-face training programme for the CLM countries, taking place on 9-10 November 2023 in Seoul, South Korea. This two-day workshop will build upon the foundations laid in the online workshops, enhancing competencies in utilising evidence derived from the SEA-PLM learning assessments.
A series of online capacity-building workshops have been conducted, focusing on developing essential skills in analysing large scale assessment data and utilising evidence to elevate education policy and delivery. In the first online workshop held from 25 November to 05 December 2022, 54 CLM delegates engaged in discussions about curriculum alignment and were introduced to test development for school and classroom-based assessments. The second online workshop, held from 12 to 29 June 2023 and attended by 82 CLM delegates, provided in-depth and sustained training on assessment theories and data analysis. This was achieved through the analysis of SEA-PLM 2019 data and further aggregation at the country-level.
Dr Jimin Cho, Vice President of Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE)
In her opening address, Dr Jimin Cho, Vice-President of KICE, highlighted the Korean education experience, emphasising the pivotal role of assessment in shaping curricula and enhancing teaching and learning as crucial components for educational improvement.
Tailored for educational experts and practitioners within the Ministries of Education from each CLM country, the training programme focused on key topics tailored to their unique education contexts.
Delegates from Cambodia (left), Lao PDR (middle), and Myanmar (right) presented workshop outputs in reading and writing on the second day of the workshop
The training programme, designed by KICE in collaboration with the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat, is part of the SEA-PLM programme’s main objective, which is to leverage the use of evidence in improving technical capacity of participating countries on assessment in order to monitor learning outcomes and enhance the quality of basic education in their respective countries.
Delegates from Cambodia (right) and Myanmar (left) doing hands-on activities on data analysis on the second day of the workshop
Timor-Leste takes a leap in education with the SEA-PLM programme
In a pivotal move, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of Timor-Leste is participating in the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) programme, the first regional large-scale assessment in the region. Timor-Leste is the most recent addition to countries participating in the SEA-PLM 2024, which is the programme's second round of assessment. Other countries engaged in the program include Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Viet Nam.
The commitment of Timor-Leste to SEA-PLM 2024 promises transformative change in the country as it embarks into its first participation in an international large-scale assessment focusing on foundational learning. The wealth of data and information that comes from the regional evidence strengthens Timor-Leste’s position in utilising data in order to guide and shape educational policy and practice in the country.
In the speech of Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport, Her Excellency Ms Dulce De Jesus Soares, during the Field Trial training for Test Administrators and School Coordinators held on 27-28 September 2023 at City 8, Dili, attended by more than 50 field operators and school heads, the programme’s inaugural event in the country, she underscored the importance of the training in ensuring the quality and seamless data collection and test administration. Minister Soares highlighted the broader motivation behind the activity: to systematically collect data that can inform and enhance the primary education to improve student learning outcomes.
As the Field Trial activities conclude across all 7 SEA-PLM participating countries, the programme is on the cusp of its highly anticipated Main Survey in 2024. All National Teams, including Timor-Leste’s national team, in collaboration with the SEA-PLM Regional Secretariat and key partners are gearing up for the 3rd SEA-PLM Regional Technical Workshop scheduled for December 11 to 15, 2023. This crucial event will revolve around technical discussions and agreements on procedures to strengthen assessment tools and instruments to be employed in the forthcoming SEA-PLM assessment.
Timor-Leste’s participation in the SEA-PLM programme signifies a profound commitment to advancing education, not only within the country but also on a regional scale. As the Main Survey 2024 nears, Timor-Leste's prospects for meaningful change in education are brighter than ever as it leverages on learning evidence to support student learning in Timor-Leste and the rest of Southeast Asia.
The participants of the training of Test Administrators and School Coordinators in Timor-Leste
Over 3000 students from 3 Southeast Asian countries participated in the SEA-PLM Field Trial
Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Viet Nam | Anieluz Pastolero: Over 3000 students from 79 sample schools in Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Viet Nam recently took part in the SEA-PLM Field Trial assessment focusing on reading and mathematics domains. This collaborative initiative not only involved students but also actively engaged parents, who provided their insights through the completion of contextual parent questionnaires. By adopting this comprehensive approach, the SEA-PLM Field trial successfully collected data, marking a significant milestone for SEA-PLM 2024.
The smooth execution of testing operations was made possible by the efforts of nominated teachers and school principals from selected schools. Taking on the roles of test administrators and school coordinators respectively, they underwent rigorous training conducted by the SEA-PLM National teams. The training equipped them with a deeper understanding of the regional standards and protocols, ensuring their adherence throughout the Field Trials.
Ensuring the integrity and compliance of the field trial activities, a host of observers and quality monitors were deployed in schools. Monitors included members of the SEA-PLM National Teams, representatives from the Ministries of Education, as well as provincial and district counterparts, along with delegates from the SEA-PLM Secretariat, SEAMEO Secretariat, and UNICEF EAPRO. Their presence and expertise provided invaluable guidance, guaranteeing strict compliance with regional technical standards.
The successful conduct of the Field Trials by the first batch of country teams represents the culmination of their commitment and collaborative efforts during the preparatory phase. This achievement serves as a promising precedent for the second cycle of the SEA-PLM programme and lays the groundwork for the upcoming Main Survey in 2024. The invaluable experiences and lessons learned from the Field Trials will inform the programme’s progress as it prepares for the participation of the 2nd batch of countries later this year.
SEA-PLM 2019 evidence: Holistic well-being of children leads to better learning outcomes
Virtual | Anieluz Pastolero: The SEA-PLM 2019 data reveals that children who possess good physical and mental states and have basic knowledge and concern about environmental issues tend to perform better academically than those who do not.
This was the crux of the discussion during the policy forum webinar on “Child Well-being and Learning in Six Southeast Asia: Insights from the SEA-PLM 2019 evidence” held virtually on 17 March 2023.
The policy forum webinar discussed the study conducted by UNICEF-Innocenti Global Office of Research and Foresight highlighting bullying as the most prevalent form of violence experienced by children in school, affecting 35% of students from participating countries. The report recommends establishing a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, offering counselling services, and promoting intercultural activities to create a secure learning environment.
Surprisingly, the introduction of environmental topics has a positive impact on children’s learning outcomes in reading, writing, and mathematics. The report found that children are concerned about various environmental issues such as pollution, water scarcity, energy shortages, and extinction of plants and animals.
Co-author of the report, Ms. Ximena Jativa, acknowledged the multifaceted nature of child well-being. She recommended intersectoral collaboration to ensure social and child protection, investing in basic WASH facilities (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene), reviewing policies on mental and physical well-being, allocating resources, and providing school-based safety nets like meals to ensure the holistic improvement of child well-being for Southeast Asian students.
While the SEA-PLM is primarily a learning assessment for grade 5 students in the region, Mr. Antoine Marivin, SEA-PLM Senior Project Manager, stressed the importance of investigating factors beyond the traditional cognitive proficiency tests that affect a child’s learning achievements.
The SEA-PLM findings highlighted the importance of being aware of the status of children in school and the need to prioritise their well being.
SEA-PLM 2019 evidence sheds light on bullying in schools at Philippine Senate Hearing
Manila, Philippines | Anieluz Pastolero: The Philippine Senate Committee on Basic Education cited the SEA-PLM 2019 evidence as a crucial resource in shedding light on the prevalence of bullying in schools and its impact on learning outcomes during the public hearing to review the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 on 13 February 2023.
Led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, the Committee underscored during the hearing the use of data such as those provided by SEA-PLM 2019 and called for an improvement in reporting mechanisms to encourage students to report bullying incidents.
The SEA-PLM 2019 data revealed that 63.2% of Grade 5 students in the Philippines experience bullying at least once a month in schools. This figure is consistent with the National Baseline Survey on Violence Against Children conducted by the Council for the Welfare of Children in 2016, which found that 65% of students in the Philippines have experienced bullying. The same level of prevalence is also affirmed by the data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which the Philippines participated in 2018.
The Philippine Senate hearing emphasized the need to address bullying in schools in the country and to prioritize the well-being of students. The data from SEA-PLM 2019 highlights the significance of the issue and the need for effective measures to address it, including improving reporting mechanisms and implementing policies that protect students from bullying and creating a safe school environment.
Project Manager Alejandro Ibanez represented SEA-PLM Secretariat and SEAMEO Secretariat in the said hearing.
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On Track for Education Transformation: SEA-PLM 2024 Progress Update at 3rd Project Steering Committee Meeting
Manila, Philippines | Anieluz Pastolero: The implementation of the second phase of the SEA-PLM project, SEA-PLM 2024, is timely and on track to achieve its objective across all project outputs within the three programme pillars, according to the SEA-PLM Project Manager Alejandro Sinon Ibanez.
During the 3rd Project Steering Committee held on 03 February 2023 at SEDA Hotel, Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila, Mr. Ibanez said that based on the achievements and milestones of the project's first year of implementation, the progress of the different activities across the participating countries is very encouraging. He also mentioned that the project is at the crucial stage of its preparation for the second round of assessment, specifically on the Field Trial operations in 2023.
Present in the meeting, which was conducted in parallel with the 13th Regional Steering Committee Meeting, was Dr Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela, SEAMEO Secretariat Director, Mr Anggiet Ariefianto, Programme Manager of AKPMT, and Mr Alejandro Sinon Ibanez and Mr Antoine Marivin of the SEA-PLM Secretariat.
Dr. Valenzuela and Mr. Ariefianto emphasized the importance of the meeting as it ensures that the project is on track.
Mr. Ariefianto expressed support of the AKPMT in providing strategic guidance to ensure the smooth conduct of the project implementation. He also provided advice in strictly complying with the existing guidelines of AKCF and responding to any changes to adapt with the current situations and evolving realities given complexities of post-Covid 19.
The Committee also discussed potential challenges and strategic approaches to ensure the project’s success such as building new partnership agreements with current stakeholders, accommodating changes both at the regional and national level, and utilizing regional initiatives to create platforms for strong collaboration with participating countries and other key partners.
The next Steering Committee Meeting was proposed to be organised within the year.
SEA-PLM Countries Affirm Commitment to Tracking of Student Learning
Manila, Philippines | Anieluz Pastolero: The six countries that participated in the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics or better known as the SEA-PLM affirmed their commitment to strengthening the tracking of student learning during the 13th Regional Steering Committee Meeting held on 02-03 February 2023 at SEDA Hotel, Bonifacio Global City, Metro Manila.
The High officials of the Ministries of Education from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines, Timor Leste and Vietnam, convened to report on the SEA-PLM progress and its perceived impact to education policies and practices at the national level, building on the gains of participating in SEA-PLM 2019.
As Co-Chairs of the SEA-PLM Secretariat, Dr Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela, Director, SEAMEO Secretariat, and Ms Mitsue Uemura, Regional Education Adviser for the East Asia and Pacific, UNICEF EAPRO, highlighted the significant contribution of the regional meeting as a valuable opportunity for all stakeholders to come together and share their experiences, and challenges in the implementation of SEA-PLM both at the regional and national level.
They emphasized the need to work together to achieve the breadth and rigor of a large-scale assessment while taking into account the unique needs and context of countries in Southeast Asia. They expressed confidence in the continued support and collaboration of partners and participating countries to ensure that, through the SEA-PLM programme, the achievement of equitable and meaningful education for all children in the region can be realized.
The SEA-PLM participating countries also reviewed the 2022-2023 work plan covering planning, monitoring, and organization of activities, including the preparation for SEA-PLM 2024. The regional agenda included technical discussions on preparations for the field trial operations, policy dialogues and exchanges on school-level policy and practice, and discussions relating to overall management of regional and national-level implementation of the SEA-PLM programme.
The event was organised in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat and UNICEF Regional Office for East Asia and Pacific (UNICEF EAPRO), the co-chairs of the SEA-PLM Secretariat.
It was attended by 53 participants, composed of representatives from six SEA-PLM participating countries namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor Leste, and Vietnam. Representatives from technical partners are also present such as the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI), Korea Institute of Curriculum Evaluation (KICE), UNICEF Office of Research and Innocenti, and cApStAn LQC. Delegates from partner organisations also participated in-person and online during the event, including the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), UNICEF Myanmar, UNICEF Philippines, Edtech Hub, University of Bath, UNESCO Bangkok, ASEAN Secretariat, and ASEAN-Republic of Korea Project Management Team (AKPMT).
SEA-PLM 2nd Regional Technical Workshop Sustains Momentum for SEA-PLM 2024
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam | Merina Cahya Anggraeni: The SEA-PLM 2nd Regional Technical Workshop was successfully organized from 14 to 18 November 2022 in La Vela Saigon Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. As a follow-up from the 1st Regional Technical Workshop in August, the 2nd regional workshop intensified the advancement of preparations for the Field Trial in 2023. The facilitators of the workshop were the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and cApStAn LQC. The workshop sessions also featured experts from the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and the Ministry of Education, Thailand.
The workshop focused on cognitive items, contextual questionnaire development, translation and linguistic and quality control. National teams of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Timor Leste, and Viet Nam participated in the five-day workshop.
Dr Tim Friedman, Contextual Questionnaire Expert, presented the SEA-PLM contextual framework structure
The workshop began with discussions on contextual questionnaires and global citizenship facilitated by Dr Claire Scoular and Dr Tim Friedman from ACER. The participants and experts discussed new constructs relevant in the post-pandemic context to be considered in the next set of contextual questionnaires for SEA-PLM 2024.
Dr Megan Yucel and Ms Jennifer Halliday, Reading and Mathematics Domain Experts, provided inputs on cognitive test items
The workshop proceeded with sessions on item review and panelling of Mathematics and Reading items facilitated by Dr Megan Yucel and Ms Jennifer Halliday from ACER.
Ms Grace DeLee, cApStAn Project Manager, discussed the translation and linguistic quality control model
The technical expert, cApStAn LQC, represented by Ms Grace DeLee, led the discussions on translation and linguistic quality control, emphasizing participating countries’ key role in the quality of translation and local adaptation.
Experts from KICE, CUHK, ACER, and MOE Thailand shared their expertise on data utilization and dissemination of findings from learning assessments
Bilateral consultations between the SEA-PLM Secretariat and participating countries took place to provide support and address the specific needs of each participating country. Along with these consultations, the SEA-PLM Secretariat organized learning sessions on approaches and experiences for developing models to disseminate and build the capacities of local educators to generate insights from learning assessments and evaluations in general. Dr Jimin Cho and Dr Insuk Kim (KICE), Dr Esther Sui-Chu Ho (CUHK), Dr Arisara Roengsumran (MOE Thailand), and Dr Kathryn Richardson (ACER) shared their insights. They guided the excellent discussions for this session.
SEAMEO Secretariat, SEA-PLM Secretariat, and National Team Members during the closing session of the workshop
During the session remarks, Co-chairs of the SEA-PLM Secretariat, Dr Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela, SEAMEO Secretariat Director, and Ms Mitsue Uemura, UNICEF EAPRO Regional Education Advisor, emphasized in their remarks that the SEA-PLM Secretariat will continue to support participating countries with technical and operational assistance as preparation heightens for the SEA-PLM Field Trial scheduled to start in March 2023.
Cambodia to participate in SEA-PLM 2024
Bangkok, Thailand | Merina Cahya Anggraeni: Cambodia has officially agreed to participate in SEA-PLM's second assessment cycle—SEA-PLM 2024—adding to a series of agreements successfully initiated by the SEAMEO Secretariat. Subsequently, Dr Ethel Agnes Pascua Valenzuela, SEAMEO Secretariat Director, and H E Dr Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Cambodia, signed a Letter of Engagement (LoE) to cement Cambodia's support for the programme. The endorsement was materialised during the Transforming Education Summit on 18 September 2022 in New York City.
Cambodia has been a steadfast supporter since the first round of assessment in 2019 by taking a proactive role in supporting the program implementation. Cambodia also actively participated in the Annual Regional Technical Workshop, held from 22 to 26 August 2022. The signing of the LoE will certainly provide an additional buttress for the smooth operation of the programme at the country level, mainly in uplifting the mobilisation within the national team.
Cambodia's Country Report can be found here to learn more about its performance in SEA-PLM 2019.
