ASEAN Ministers Meet in Laos to Enhance Early Childhood Education

On May 15, 2024, education ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened in Vientiane, Laos, to discuss policies aimed at improving early childhood care and education. The meeting focused on ensuring equal access to quality development and care for children across the region.

Lao Minister of Education and Sports, Phout Simmalavong, emphasized the importance of collaboration and learning from each other's experiences. He highlighted the success of ASEAN cooperation in education and reiterated the need to work together to achieve the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025.

"We will continue to cooperate to move forward together in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025. We must work closely to build strength and happiness for our community," said Simmalavong.

The meeting provided a platform for ASEAN member states to exchange ideas and best practices. Participants included education ministers and senior officials from the 10 ASEAN member states, as well as representatives from Timor-Leste and relevant organizations. The discussions aimed to enhance policies and practices to improve early childhood care and education.

Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Nguyen Van Phuc, reiterated Vietnam's commitment to early childhood care and education. He highlighted Vietnam's efforts to integrate climate change adaptation and environmental protection into the nationwide educational program for kindergarteners.

"Vietnam always values the position and role of early childhood care and education (ECCE)," said Phuc. He also mentioned that Vietnam plans to implement programs to ensure all children have access to ECCE, promote environmental education, and establish green preschool models.

The meeting culminated in the adoption of a joint declaration, further solidifying the region's commitment to improving early childhood care and education. This declaration builds on the statement of ASEAN leaders on ECCE, approved in July 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The education sector in ASEAN is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change remains a significant issue affecting educational development. The meeting underscored the importance of preparedness and comprehensive cooperation to address these challenges.

The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Ensuring Equal Access to Quality Early Childhood Development and Care highlighted the collective efforts of member states to enhance early childhood education. The ministers' commitment to collaboration and shared learning aims to ensure that all children in the region have access to quality development and care.

As Minister Simmalavong stated, "We must work closely to build strength and happiness for our community."

Key Takeaways

• ASEAN education ministers met in Laos to discuss early childhood care and education policies.
• The meeting aimed to ensure equal access to quality development and care for children across the region.
• Ministers shared best practices and experiences to enhance early childhood education.
• A joint declaration was adopted, solidifying the region's commitment to improving early childhood care and education.
• The meeting emphasized the importance of cooperation to address challenges like COVID-19 and climate change.