H.E. Pol. Gen. Permpoon Chidchob emphasized transforming education at the 7th East Asia Summit on Education to overcome inequality and create sustainable learning opportunities in the digital era.

On August 26, 2024, at the Ballroom of Chang Arena Stadium, Buriram Province,H.E. Pol. Gen. Permpoon Chidchob, Minister of Education of Thailand, presided over the 7^th East Asia Summit Education Ministers Meeting. The Meeting was attended by education ministers from the ASEAN member countries—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand—along with representatives from dialogue partners in the ASEAN Plus Eight framework, including Australia, the People’s Republic of China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States, with Timor-Leste participating as an observer. Also in attendance were delegates from the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN University Network (AUN), the SEAMEO Secretariat, and various ASEAN education partners, bringing the total number of participants to approximately 120.

The opening ceremony commenced at 11:10 a.m., with the Minister of Education of Thailand, as the meeting’s chairperson, addressing the challenges of integrating technology and innovation into teaching and learning to meet the demands of the digital era. He emphasized the importance of ensuring safe access to digital learning for youths. The Minister highlighted that cooperation under the East Asia Summit on Education framework is crucial for human resource development, the production of a skilled workforce, and the advancement of a lifelong learning society. This cooperation involves the government, private sector, civil society, and international organizations, which collectively contribute to building regional strength. Transforming education in the digital era involves more than just using technology in the classroom. It also includes creating supportive learning environments, developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity from early childhood through higher education, as well as promoting lifelong learning. The exchange of knowledge and experiences from the meeting will strengthen regional educational cooperation, enhancing the management of digital education to maximize benefits for learners.

The meeting acknowledged the outcomes of the 9^th East Asia Summit Senior Officials Meeting on Education and engaged in discussions on educational cooperation under the ASEAN Plus Eight framework. During the session, Thailand, on behalf of the ASEAN member countries, delivered a statement titled ‘Transforming Education in the Digital Era.  The statement highlighted the urgent need to adapt education for the digital era, noting that disruptive technologies have transformed teaching and learning methods. This transformation offers new opportunities to improve access to quality education and advance educational equity. The endorsement of the ASEAN Declaration on Digital Transformation of Education Systems in Southeast Asia has established a solid foundation for collaborative efforts to integrate digital technology into education systems, aiming to enhance educational outcomes and bridge the digital divide. Additionally, the importance of the ASEAN-SEAMEO Joint Declaration on a Common Space in Southeast Asian Higher Education was highlighted, emphasizing its role in integrating higher education cooperation across the Southeast Asian region.

The Minister of Education emphasized the importance of digital infrastructure and access for all learners, including teacher training and professional development. He also highlighted the need for curriculum and content innovation to ensure that all students, including those from disadvantaged groups, benefit from educational opportunities in the digital era.

The meeting endorsed the Joint Statement of the 7th East Asia Summit on Education, which emphasizes promoting cooperation across 14 sectors under the Manila Plan of Action. This aims to advance the Phnom Penh Declaration on the East Asia Summit Development Initiative (2018-2022) and the East Asia Summit Plan of Action for 2024-2028. The statement underscores the importance of transforming education in the digital era by fostering digital skills, literacy, and ethical considerations around artificial intelligence (AI), and supporting 21st-century skills in curricula and higher education. It also highlights the use of information and communication technology in teaching and the importance of collaborating on activities under the East Asia Summit Education Ministers’ Plan of Action (2024-2028) and the ASEAN Education Work Plan (2021-2025). The commitment includes achieving sustainable development goals in education by enhancing digital teaching, developing suitable content and curricula, improving teacher quality, promoting gender equality, and creating lifelong learning opportunities for all.

At the end of the meeting, the Chair expressed gratitude to the dialogue partners within the ASEAN Plus Eight framework for their support in providing educational funding and conducting collaborative activities and projects with ASEAN countries. He also emphasized the importance of exchanging knowledge, learning from each other, and incorporating the recommendations from ASEAN Plus Eight member countries to fully develop education management in the digital era.

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