Overview
Education is a powerful transformative force in the lives of ASEAN peoples. Thus inclusive and quality education is key to the sustainable development of the region. Quality education leads to better health outcomes, higher social capital, peaceful and gender-equal societies, and decent work opportunities. It prepares ASEAN’s human resources to be resilient, competitive and ready to face an ever-changing future. Aside from being a powerful driver of social and economic development, education has the potential to raise ASEAN awareness and foster a regional identity.
ASEAN supports global and regional commitments in education by promoting lifelong learning underpinned by the principles of equity, inclusion and quality. Specific priorities include advancing future-ready education at basic and higher education levels and technical and vocational education and training; ensuring inclusive education; building the capacity of education personnel; and mobilising resources for education through partnerships with various key stakeholders.
Highlights of ASEAN’s work in education include:
- Supports for students and learners transition to the workforce through internship opportunities, higher education scholarships and responsive skills development
- Supports for teachers and vocational trainers on the latest teaching methods and strategies
- Advocacy to reach out-of-school children and youth
- Advocacy for safe and resilient schools
Priority Areas of Cooperation
ASEAN mobilises its networks and resources to actively promote lifelong learning and to ensure that all learners in ASEAN have access to high-quality education opportunities to prepare them for the world of work and an ever-changing future. Education is also key in establishing a sense of belonging to the ASEAN Community.
As demands of the future workforce keeps increasing, ASEAN is working to ensure that curricula and education programmes in the region are able to equip learners with core 21st century skills, environmental literacy and digital competencies. Research and the exchange of knowledge are also supported in various aspects of education
In cooperation with other sectors, ASEAN education systems and frameworks are developed in such a way to ensure consistent high-quality education and training across the ASEAN region. Promotion of common regional quality standards, will encourage cross-border mobility of students and workers.
Major Sectoral Bodies/Committees
ASEAN Member States undertake cooperation in education through the ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting (ASED). The implementation of the directives and priorities identified by ASEAN Leaders and the ASED is undertaken by the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Education (SOM-ED). Mechanisms for broader cooperation in the ASEAN education sector include the ASEAN Plus Three Education Ministers Meeting (APT EMM) and the East Asia Summit Education Ministers Meeting (EAS EMM).
ASEAN Sectoral Ministerial Bodies
ASEAN Ministerial Bodies |
ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting (ASED) |
ASEAN Plus Three Education Ministers Meeting (APT EMM) |
East Asia Summit Education Ministers Meeting (EAS EMM) |
ASEAN Senior Officials Bodies |
ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Education (SOM-ED) |
ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials Meeting on Education (SOM-ED+3) |
East Asia Summit Senior Officials Meeting on Education (EAS SOM-ED) |
ASEAN University Network (AUN) |
ASEAN Working Groups |
ASEAN Working Group on Strengthening Education for Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) |
Ad Hoc Working Group on ASEAN Higher Education Mobility |
Working Group on Student Mobility and Quality Assurance of Higher Education among ASEAN Plus Three Countries (APTWG) |
ASEAN-Russia Working Group on Education (ARWGE) |
Key Documents
- Building an Amicable Home Together: Vision and Action on ASEAN-China Education Cooperation and Development (2022-2030)
- Roadmap on the ASEAN Higher Education Space 2025 and Its Implementation Plan
- Making Information Available Online to Promote Student Mobility in The ASEAN Plus Three Region a Guide for Universities
- Cha-Am Hua Hin Declaration on Strengthening Cooperation on Education to Achieve an ASEAN Caring and Sharing Community
- ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Education for Out-of-School Children and Youth
- ASEAN Declaration on Higher Education
- Joint Statement on the 18th AUN and 7th ASEAN+3 Educational Forum “The Relevance of Higher Education in the Digital Era”
- Joint Statement of the Eight ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting
- Joint Statement of the Ninth ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting
- Joint Statement of the Tenth ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting
- Joint Statement of the Third ASEAN Plus Three Education Ministers Meeting
- Joint Statement of the Fourth ASEAN Plus Three Education Ministers Meeting
- Joint Statement of the Third East Asia Summit Education Ministers Meeting
- Joint Statement of the Fourth East Asia Summit Education Ministers Meeting
- Terms of Reference of the Working Group on Mobility of Higher Education and Ensuring Quality Assurance of Higher Education among ASEAN Plus Three Countries
- Terms of Reference of the East Asia Summit Education Ministers Meeting (EAS EMM)
Publications and Related Links
- ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025
- ASEAN Policy Brief on Safe School Reopening, Learning Recovery and Continuity
- ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2016-2020
- ASEAN Curriculum Sourcebook
- Charter of the ASEAN University Network
Entities Associated with ASEAN under the ASEAN Education Sector
