During the Asia Pacific Meeting on Education (APMED6), held from September 10-13, 2024, in Bangkok, a sub-regional dialogue was convened to strategize the implementation of existing commitments and priority actions across various regions. The discussions emphasized the critical need to address both conventional and emerging challenges in the region, such as educational equity and access to quality education.
Syeed Ahamed, CEO of IID, highlighted the urgency of establishing a common assessment framework across South Asia. He stressed the importance of leveraging proven tools from PAL Network South Asia to standardize educational assessments, which is critical in tracking children’s proficiency in reading and mathematics under SDG 4.
The meeting also emphasized South Asia’s untapped potential, particularly its substantial youth population, and highlighted the critical role of curriculum reform in preparing future generations for the challenges ahead. It was acknowledged that educational systems must evolve to better equip young people with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in a dynamic world.
Syeed Ahamed shared three strategies for cultivating a forward-thinking curriculum. The first strategy is adaptability. In today’s rapidly changing job market, the curriculum must continuously evolve to meet emerging demands, as what worked for past generations will no longer suffice for the next.
The second strategy focuses on community engagement. Engaging parents and communities is crucial to overcoming resistance to modern teaching methods. This is particularly vital in regions where rote memorization has been the dominant approach to learning.
Lastly, Ahamed emphasized the importance of evidence-based reform. Curriculum changes must be driven by data to ensure that they are relevant and effective. This involves rigorous testing, analysis, and scaling of successful practices to achieve long-lasting reform.
A significant focus of the dialogue was the development of sub-regional recommendations to be included in the Outcome Document of APMED6. These insights will provide key inputs to the upcoming Global Education Meeting (GEM).
