The 6th Forum for High Officials of Basic Education of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Inaugurated in Bandung

The 6th Forum for High Officials of Basic Education of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) was inaugurated in Bandung, Indonesia, on 25th April 2016.

Over 40 participants attended the forum, including Dr. Gatot, Director of SEAMEO Secretariat, Mr. Didik Suhardi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, high officials from the Ministries of 11 SEAMEO Member Countries, directors of relevant regional centres of SEAMEO, and other representatives from its Associated Members. H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre, was invited to attend the forum.

The theme of the Forum was "Adopting 21st Century Curriculum". The welcome speech was delivered by Dr. Gatot and Mr. Didik. Dr. Gatot briefed on the development of the Annual Forum for High Officials of Basic Education and the establishment background of the theme of the Forum this year. He said, over the past 50 years, SEAMEO had made fruitful achievements in promoting regional education, exchange and cooperation. In 2014, the Strategic Dialogue for Education Ministers of SEAMEO Member Countries designated 7 priority areas for SEAMEO New Education Agenda from 2015 to 2035, that is, achieving universal early childhood care and education, addressing barriers to inclusion, resilience in the face of emergencies, promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), revitalizing teacher education, harmonizing higher education and research, and adopting 21st Century Curriculum. The last priority area, also the theme of the Forum, involved pursuing a radical reform through systematic analysis of knowledge, skills, and values needed to effectively respond to the ever-increasing complexity of Southeast Asian economic, socio-cultural, and political environment, preparing students to have the 21st century skills such as learning and innovation skills, new media technology skills, and life and career skills.

Mr. Didik said, since 2010, the Forum had become a big event for 11 SEAMEO Member Countries in the area of Basic Education. The 21st Century Curriculum is the priority of Indonesia Education. Mr. Didik hoped that the participants could take this opportunity to promote sustainable development of basic education by in-depth communication and exchange of experience and best practices.

Formed by 11 Member Countries in 1965, Southeast Asian Ministers of Educational Organization (SEAMEO) is a regional inter-governmental organization aiming at promoting regional cooperation in education, science and culture, achieving mutual development and benefiting the public.