Former Teacher Reflects On Regional Round Tables

By Abdul Rahman Fahmi Abdul Aziz

LANGKAWI, June  19 (Bernama) – While covering the ASEAN Ministers of Education and Higher Education Roundtables (#EduRoundtables2025), here, the writer spotted a familiar face from nearly a decade ago — a former teacher from college days.

Dr Kamaleswaran Jayarajah, who once taught Chemistry and Biology at Kolej Tingkatan Enam Desa Mahkota which is the writer’s former alma mater and SMK Chenderiang, Perak is now based at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat in Bangkok.

Originally from Tanjung Malim, he is the eldest of three siblings and the first in his family to pursue studies beyond his hometown. 

With eight years of teaching experience under his belt, followed by four years in the Ministry of Education and three years in the regional education sector, he now contributes to regional policy efforts in Southeast Asia.

Moderating one of the forum’s sessions titled “Leveraging on Technology and Innovative Strategies to Reduce OOSCY Barriers”, Kamaleswaran said the event’s focus strongly resonated with his current work.

“Every country in ASEAN faces unique challenges,” he said when met here and stressed the importance of collaboration, teacher empowerment and cultural sensitivity to address education gaps.

 ASEAN education policymakers had gathered here, at the Jewel of Kedah, from June 17 until today for the ASEAN Ministers of Education and Higher Education Roundtables (#EduRoundtables2025).

Earlier, Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek stated that the Langkawi Joint Statement on Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) was agreed upon by ASEAN Education Ministers as a guiding framework to overcome challenges in access to education.

She mentioned that the core content of the document, titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing OOSCY Challenges," will be further refined in a seminar leading up to the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.

-- BERNAMA