BANGKOK, 29 NOV – Important issues related to the organization’s administration and operations, financial matters and proposed programs are among those discussed during the 47th Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO HOM) Senior Officials Meeting. takes place at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Bangkok, Thailand.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Education, the meeting which took place from 26 to 28 November was attended by the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Core Education), Ministry of Education, Awang Aliuddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman along with officials from the Ministry of Education.
The annual meeting organized by the SEAMEO Secretariat brought together senior officials, delegations and representatives of ministries of education from 11 SEAMEO member countries, associate member countries, associate members, SEAMEO Centers and Regional Networks as well as SEAMEO cooperation partners.
The meeting was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Education, Thailand, His Excellency Surasak Phancharoenworakul.
In his speech, TYT Surasak Phancharoenworakul emphasized the importance of shaping the development of children and youth by working together towards fostering a new understanding and ecosystem that suits the challenges faced at the moment, taking into account pandemics, environmental challenges, climate change and rapid technology in the sector education.
The year’s meeting began with a closed discussion session, followed by a special session and a plenary session. This year, Brunei Darussalam has been appointed as Chairman of the SEAMEO HOM Senior Officials Meeting for the Plenary Session with Vietnam as Deputy Chairman.
In Awang Aliuddin’s speech, he thanked the former chairman from the Republic of the Philippines for his success in leading the SEAMEO Senior Officials Meeting for two years. He called on the meeting to seize the opportunity to share innovation, develop networks and strengthen cooperation under SEAMEO and further coordinate efforts in advancing the future of education, science and culture throughout Southeast Asia.
Awang Aliuddin also had the opportunity to present Brunei Darussalam’s report on the implementation of SEAMEO Priority Areas. Among the things shared are the implementation of STEAM Skills and Education and Early Childhood Education initiatives such as amendments to the Compulsory Education Act.
The SEAMEO HOM meeting also saw an award ceremony, where Brunei received three prestigious SEAMEO awards, reflecting its commitment to education and innovation.
Pehin Dato Jamil Primary School won a SEAMEO SEPS Project Grant of US$3,000 for its healthy lunch program, which is scheduled to be implemented in 2025.
Seri Mulia Sarjana International School won third place in the SEAMEO-Japan Education Award for Sustainable Development for promoting lifelong STEM learning through community involvement.
Meanwhile, Dayang Suzanah binti Haji Kurus from Katok Secondary School also won third place in the Ki Hajar Dewantara Award for her innovative science education presentation.
In addition, the Initial Report Consultation Meeting Future4Girlswhich focused on a regional policy mapping study on gender and education, as well as the Launch of the Rapid Scoping Study Report, which discussed the challenges faced by out-of-school children and youth in Southeast Asia were also held consecutively with the meeting.