EDUCATION officials of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries stressed the need to continue supporting learners by providing quality education during the pandemic.

The officials convened recently to discuss the steps that helped them provide quality education during the pandemic and the restructuring plans needed to strengthen their educational systems after the health crisis.

Education Undersecretary Jesus Mateo served as chairman of the meeting, which had the theme “Transforming Education the ASEAN Way: Forging partnerships in the age of global disruptions.”

“In this meeting, we put in perspective not only what we are facing now but what we will do in order to be better and stronger after Covid19. We are aiming to a forward-looking education that is responsive to the demands of a fast-changing world. We need to redirect and restructure our plans for education to be able to cope with these challenges,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in her welcome remarks during the 15th Senior Officials’ Meeting on Education.

Officials from each country shared their experiences in promoting learning continuity during the pandemic.

Mateo reported updates on the programs DepEd implemented under the Basic Education – Learning Continuity Plan, including DepEd Commons and DepEd TV.

The programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority that aimed to upskill and reskill workers, as well as the measures taken by the Commission on Higher Education were also discussed.

“The Philippine Department of Education, as well as TESDA and CHED, remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation in various fora especially in these challenging yet exciting times. The diversity among Southeast Asian countries can yield experiences, knowledge and opportunities to learn the solutions that work best in the circumstances that enable effective implementation,” Mateo said.

Meanwhile, some countries presented their respective responses to the pandemic.

A School Management Manual was published in Thailand to ensure the safety of learners and teachers.

Singapore, on the other hand, implements daily temperature checks in schools as part of health safety protocols.

With most ASEAN states implementing distance learning, education ministers encouraged each member state to continue supporting their learners by providing quality content through the use of modalities such as online platform, as well as television and radio.

They also gave importance to the mental well-being of learners.

The ASEAN education ministers highlighted the need to do research to prepare for other crises in the future.

“For us who have the means, and the authority to influence the direction of our educational systems, the opportunity is now. Let us seize the day. Let us all be inspired to lead our learners and our teachers to the future of education, that is now,” Mateo said.