The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education is driving educational cooperation within ASEAN and the East Asia Summit, with a focus on transforming education in the digital era.

On August 24, 2024, the Ministry of Education, Thailand hosted a 9^th East Asia Summit Senior Officials Meeting on Education at the Ballroom of the Chang Arena, Buriram Province, Thailand. The meeting was attended by Permanent Secretaries of Education from ASEAN member countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand. Additionally, Timor-Leste participated as an observer, along with dialogue partners from the East Asia Summit, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. Representatives from ASEAN educational partners agencies were also present, bringing the total attendance to over 130 participants.

In his opening statement, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education emphasized the significance of the meeting as a vital platform for exchanging perspectives and formulating strategies to improve educational cooperation among East Asia Summit (EAS) member countries. This meeting is essential for evaluating the progress of projects and activities aligned with the Manila Plan of Action and the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025. By collaborating on these initiatives, member countries can strengthen their relationships and drive the advancement of education in the digital age.

The rapid pace of technological advancements underscores the need to adapt and innovate teaching and learning methods to ensure equitable access to education for all youth, leaving no one behind. Additionally, the meeting stressed the importance of raising awareness among young people about the effective use of digital technology. The exchange of knowledge and ideas during the meeting is expected to enhance cooperation within ASEAN and the EAS, supporting the comprehensive development of education in the digital era. It was emphasized that these technological changes necessitate ongoing adaptation and development in teaching methods to ensure that all youths have equitable access to education. Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the significance of promoting digital literacy among young people. The collaborative exchange of knowledge, experiences, and ideas among participants will contribute to strengthening cooperation within ASEAN and the EAS, thereby advancing the development of education in the digital era.

Additionally, the ASEAN Secretariat presented a progress report on the implementation of the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025. Furthermore, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States provided updates on the progress of projects related to the education component of the Manila Plan of Action to Advance the Phnom Penh Declaration on the EAS Development Initiative (2018-2022).

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chairman expressed gratitude to the participants for their contributions and suggestions on advancing the transformation of education in the digital era.  The focus was on integrating digital technology into teaching and learning management to maximize benefits for citizens both within the ASEAN region and beyond.

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