The 52nd Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Council Conference saw the turnover of the SEAMEO Council presidency from Singapore to the Philippines with Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte assuming leadership of the regional education body.
Hosted by the Philippines through the Department of Education (DepEd), the SEAMEO Council conference was held on Feb. 8 and 9, 2023 at Edsa Shangri-La Manila Hotel, Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong City.
SEAMEO is the mother organization of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
During the conference, Duterte shared that DepEd recently launched the "Matatag Agenda," which focuses on the Philippine government's commitment to learners and Filipinos in improving the education sector.
She said the program will act as a roadmap in developing and preparing initiatives to support the Southeast Asian education sector and the seven Priority Areas of SEAMEO from 2023 to 2025.
These priority areas include early childhood care and education, addressing barriers to inclusion, ensuring resiliency in the face of emergencies, promoting technical and vocational education and training, revitalizing teacher education, promoting harmonization in higher education and research, and adopting a 21st-century curriculum.
Duterte also cited the four key agenda: making the curriculum relevant to produce job-ready, active and responsible citizens; taking steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education facilities and provision of service; taking good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education and a positive learning environment; and giving support to teachers to teach better.
"The Philippine government under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has committed to the 'Matatag Agenda' and has made a national commitment to increase investments in education. The President has emphasized that we cannot fail our children. We need to help them so that they become great," Duterte said.
Dr. Glenn Gregorio, SEARCA director, said the SEAMEO Council conference was attended by Ministers of Education of SEAMEO member-countries, representatives of SEAMEO Centers, SEAMEO associate member-countries as well as SEAMEO affiliate members and partners.
Gregorio said the event was also highlighted by the conferment of the prestigious SEAMEO Service Award with 26 recipients from various SEAMEO Centers who were honored during the dinner party hosted by Duterte.
The SEAMEO SEARCA delegation was led by Gregorio, along with Dr. Nur Azura Adam, deputy director for Programs; Associate Prof. Joselito Florendo, deputy director for Administration; Dr. Gerlie Tatlonghari, head of Research and Thought Leadership Department; Dr. Nova Ramos, head of Training for Development Unit; Sharon Malaiba, head of Partnerships Unit; and Jaymark Warren Dia, head of Management Information Systems Unit.
