THE DEPARTMENT of Education has launched the first of the 7-7-7 flagship programs under its Philippine Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Council Presidency through the International Cooperation Office, which took place on May 23.

Under the SEAMEO Council Presidency of Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio, the Philippines is set to implement seven programs in response to the seven priority areas in education identified in the SEAMEO Strategic Plan 2021-2030.

According to DepEd, the first program aims to strengthen collaboration on Early Childhood Care and Education.

“These flagship programs are platforms for delegates from SEAMEO member countries to share knowledge, skills, and best practices for accessible and quality education in Southeast Asia,” said Duterte-Carpio.

The delegates included high-ranking education officials and representatives from SEAMEO member countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam, as well as ECCE specialists.