ASEAN Education Urges Focus On Gaps Affecting Out-of School Children - Fadhlina

LANGKAWI, June 19 (Bernama) – In the pursuit of a resilient and sustainable ASEAN, it is crucial for member countries to remain attentive to deficits in foundational learning, skills gaps and youth unemployment, which continue to exacerbate the Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) challenge.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, in her welcoming remarks at the ASEAN Ministers of Education and Higher Education Roundtables here, said that with continued support and shared wisdom, ASEAN is collectively able to achieve greater heights in the quest for quality education and prosperity for both individual nations and the bloc as a whole.

“Today’s roundtable serves to reaffirm our shared resolve that every child and young person, especially those currently out of school, must be afforded equitable access to quality education and the opportunity to play a meaningful role in society. This convening offers an invaluable platform to share experiences, reflect on our collective progress and explore innovative approaches to bridging long-standing educational disparities. 

“As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, we are profoundly aware of the responsibility that this role entails. Guided by the vision of a People-Oriented and People-Centred ASEAN, we remain steadfast in our commitment to inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind, particularly our children and youths who remain outside the formal education system,” she said. 

Fadhlina also emphasised that, the ASEAN Higher Education Ministers Roundtable on “Envisioning the Next Decade and Beyond”, which aims to outline a collaborative roadmap towards a future-ready education ecosystem, is equally significant in today's session.

She said in light of the intense technological and industrial transformations shaping the region, it is essential for higher education institutions to evolve and become more inclusive, agile and responsive to real-world demands.

“By enhancing cooperation between governments, academia and industry, we not only strive to equip our youth for the jobs of the future, but also build more inclusive pathways for OOSCY to re-enter education and contribute actively to ASEAN’s shared prosperity. Bridging this gap is fundamental to nurturing an ASEAN that is innovative, cohesive and truly leaves no one behind,” she said.

Fadhlina also extended her condolences to all those affected by the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand in March.

Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, as well as ministers and senior officials responsible for education and higher education from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste, representatives from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

The education ministers are expected to adopt the Langkawi Joint Statement on ASEAN OOSCY, proposed as a guiding framework to advance collective action in ensuring inclusive access to education and learning opportunities across the region.

Yesterday, Fadhlina held discussions with ICESCO director-general Dr Salim M. AlMalik on educational matters, among others on strategic collaboration in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

— BERNAMA