Kuala Lumpur: 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, emphasized the importance of collective efforts to achieve quality education and prosperity for both individual nations and the bloc as a whole.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadhlina stated that the roundtable reaffirms the shared resolve to provide equitable access to quality education for every child and young person, especially those currently out of school. The meeting offers an invaluable platform to share experiences, reflect on progress, and explore innovative approaches to bridging educational disparities.

Fadhlina highlighted Malaysia’s upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, acknowledging the responsibility it entails. Guided by the vision of a People-Oriented and People-Centred ASEAN, she reiterated the commitment to inclusive development, ensuring no child or youth is left behind, particularly those outside the formal education system.

The ASEAN Higher Education Ministers Roundtable on ‘Envisioning the Next Decade and Beyond’ was also underscored as significant. Fadhlina noted the need for higher education institutions to evolve and respond to technological and industrial transformations by becoming more inclusive, agile, and responsive to real-world demands.

Fadhlina stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation between governments, academia, and industry to equip youth for future jobs and create pathways for OOSCY to re-enter education and contribute to ASEAN’s prosperity. Bridging this gap is fundamental to nurturing an innovative and cohesive ASEAN.

Fadhlina extended condolences to those affected by the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand in March. The meeting was attended by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, ASEAN education ministers, and representatives from UNESCO and ICESCO.

The ministers are expected to adopt the Langkawi Joint Statement on ASEAN OOSCY, proposed as a guiding framework to ensure inclusive access to education across the region. Fadhlina also held discussions with ICESCO director-general Dr Salim M. AlMalik on strategic collaboration in STEM education.