Yogyakarta, 8 October 2024 - The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Early Childhood Care Education and Parenting (SEAMEO CECCEP) held its 7th Governing Board Meeting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The GBM is an annual meeting of key decision-makers from SEAMEO member countries. This meeting serves as an essential platform to set the future direction of SEAMEO CECCEP’s policies and work programs to enhance regional cooperation in early childhood education and childcare.
The Board meeting brought together 11 representatives from Southeast Asian ministries of education. The Board members included Dr. Prak Kosal (Cambodia), Ms. Komalasari (Indonesia), Mr. Vithaya Phanavanh (Laos), Mr. Omar Bin Mahli (Malaysia), Ms. Caroline Seng (Singapore), Ms. Wongduan Suwansir (Thailand), and Mr. Tomas Pereira (Timor-Leste), as well as representatives from the SEAMEO Secretariat, Mr. John Arnold Siena, and several advisory board members. The meeting allowed policymakers, academics, and practitioners to discuss and strategise more effective programmes to support the development of early childhood education and childcare across the region.
During the meeting, SEAMEO CECCEP presented its annual report to the Governing Board members, providing an update on the Centre's initiatives, achievements, and challenges. The Centre will also seek Governing Board approval on its budget, programme, and other operational matters for the coming year. These discussions are critical in guiding SEAMEO CECCEP's mission to improve the quality of ECD in Southeast Asia and ensure alignment with regional education priorities.
The meeting was opened with a speech from Dr. Iwan Syahril, Ph.D, Director General of Early Childhood Education, Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, who emphasised Indonesia's commitment to quality ECD and the important role of early childhood development in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, which ensures access to quality education for all children.
Prof. Vina Adriany, Ph.D, Director of SEAMEO CECCEP, reported that in 2023/2024, SEAMEO CECCEP had undertaken several research and development initiatives aimed at improving children's well-being, including stunting prevention efforts, strengthening programmes for a smooth transition from ECD to primary school, development of parenting mobile apps, and collaboration in regional research activities. In addition, SEAMEO CECCEP has organised various training sessions at the national and regional levels, with participation from countries such as the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam.
“Over the past year, our efforts to improve the quality of education and services were also seen in the development of a policy brief on holistic, integrated education and the creation of a SEAMEO-ASEAN roadmap on ECCE. A series of webinars and workshops further illustrate SEAMEO CECCEP's commitment to ensuring that all children, both girls and boys, have access to quality early childhood development, care, and education”, said Prof Vina Adriany.
SEAMEO Secretariat representative John Arnold Siena also congratulated SEAMEO CECCEP for its remarkable journey in fulfilling its mandate through various research and development activities, as well as training, workshops, and seminars for the ECD workforce, parents, and stakeholders. In addition, its advocacy efforts and publications at the local, national, and regional levels should also be appreciated.
“I hope, through this Governing Board Meeting, we can continue to make significant breakthroughs to achieve our common goal of improving the quality of early childhood education and care,” said John Arnold Siena.
This year's GBM was held back-to-back with the Consultative Meeting on the development of the SEAMEO-ASEAN Join Roadmap on Early Childhood Care and Education in Southeast Asia and Policy Brief on Early Childhood Development Services, which served as a collaborative forum for stakeholders to discuss regional programmes, such as the quality early childhood education improvement programme initiative. The synergy between these two important events ensures decision-making based on thorough regional consultations and expert input on key challenges in early childhood education today.
“It is hoped that this meeting will make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of early childhood education and childcare in Southeast Asia that is universal in nature. The Governing Board meeting is an important event for our members to not only review and approve the operations of the Centre, but also to chart the course for future policies and programmes that will continue to raise the standards of early childhood care and education in the region,” concluded the SEAMEO CECCEP Director.
Share This News