A new joint roadmap focusing on early childhood education (ECE), collaboratively developed by ASEAN and SEAMEO, is poised to direct efforts aimed at elevating educational quality throughout Southeast Asia. According to Indonesia’s Primary and Secondary Education Ministry, this framework underscores a regional commitment to improving ECE provisions.
Gogot Suharwoto, Director General of Early Childhood, Primary, and Secondary Education, stated in Jakarta on Thursday that the document is designed to guarantee that every child in Southeast Asia has access to high-quality, inclusive, and holistic early childhood education. He added that the roadmap serves as both a collective pledge and a technical guide, intended to be integrated into national policies, programs, and investments.
The initiative follows the 2023 ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on ECE transformation, which Indonesia led. That declaration encouraged member states to address existing gaps in ECE access and quality. The roadmap was formulated with input from various regional stakeholders and advocates for a cross-sectoral approach, encompassing education, health, nutrition, and child protection.
SEAMEO CECCEP, an entity focused on early childhood education and parenting in the region, is actively involved in advancing the roadmap’s implementation. The ministry noted that diverse stakeholder engagement strengthens the roadmap’s role as a shared regional reference while maintaining its relevance to specific national requirements.
Additionally, the framework promotes stronger funding commitments and policy enhancements, with the goal of fostering long-term improvements in human resource development. Through this structure, ASEAN countries are expected to expand access to and improve ECE services in a more harmonized and quantifiable manner.
Source: Original
