PERMANENT Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Dr Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati binti Haji Tajuddin is attending the 41st Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization High Official Meeting (41st SEAMEO HOM) in Bangkok, Thailand from November 27 to today.
All 26 SEAMEO centre directors as well as senior officials from SEAMEO member countries, SEAMEO associate member countries and SEAMEO affiliate members are attending.
The SEAMEO HOM is convened annually, bringing together senior officials from the SEAMEO member countries, representatives from SEAMEO associate and affiliate members, directors and officers from SEAMEO Regional Centres to report, discuss, plan and review the programmes, activities and operations under the organisation.
This year’s meeting was officiated by the guest of honour, Vice Minister of Education of Thailand Dr Sophon Napathorn.
Dr Sophon Napathorn highlighted that Thailand has been engaging the private sector in further promoting technical and vocational education to develop the skills of students in line with the needs of the labour market.
He also touched on the introduction of High Potential Schools and the establishment of English Boot Camps to help improve the English Language competency of Thai teachers and their teaching pedagogies.
During the meeting, each SEAMEO member country had the opportunity to share their progress and development in addressing the SEAMEO Seven Priority Areas. These priority areas are (1) Early Childhood Care and Education, (2) Addressing Barriers to Inclusion, (3) Resiliency in the Face of Emergencies, (4) Promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training, (5) Teacher Education, (6) Harmonisation in Higher Education and Research and (7) Adopting a 21st Century Curriculum.
The three-day meeting began with a closed In-Camera Session followed by a Plenary Session. The meeting concludes today with the overall adoption and review of the meeting agendas.
Accompanying Dr Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati at the meeting are officials from the MoE.
