Developing an ASEAN Lifelong Learning Agenda (SEAMEO-UNESCO Project)

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Guidelines for documenting successful policies and

practices for lifelong learning in Southeast Asian
countries: writing a national report
AS OF 28 APR 2016
Southeast Asian countries have made major progress towards Education for All since 2000.
While student participation, retention and survival rates have generally increased, challenges
remain in ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promot[ing] lifelong learning
opportunities for all, one of seventeen goals in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development. 1 To promote Lifelong Learning for All, 2 and address the twin challenges of
equity and quality, Member States of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization
(SEAMEO) need to articulate a vision of lifelong learning and learn from each others policies
and practices.
0F

1F

Examples of policies that support lifelong learning in Southeast Asian countries, which were
highlighted in the Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2015, include: mandating one
year pre-primary education as compulsory in the Philippines and Myanmar, adopting new
laws concerning education for children with disabilities in Viet Nam, providing scholarships
for girls in secondary education in Cambodia, raising the status of teachers in Indonesia with
certification and higher salaries, and dedicating a higher share of the government budget to
education (31 per cent) in Thailand. 3
2F

To assist the agenda for lifelong learning to become more inclusive and gender responsive,
Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organizations Regional Centre for Lifelong Learning
(SEAMEO CELLL) and UNESCO are initiating a regional project on collaborative research
and advocacy for lifelong learning in 2016. The first activity is focused on stimulating
reflection on successful policies and practices in lifelong learning through the facilitation of
national dialogue and the development of national reports. The results of the national critical
reflection are expected to inform discussions at a regional Expert Meeting planned to take
place in Ho Chi Minh City during the Vietnamese Lifelong Learning Week in early October
2016, as well as at the SEAMEO Council Conference in March 2017 and during other
international policy forums.
1. Objectives
The aim of the national reflection activity is to promote mutual learning and exchange of
information on successful policies and practices of lifelong learning in SEAMEO countries.
Reflections within and across countries will focus on critical factors that support the
promotion of lifelong learning for all by giving special attention to:

Inclusive and gender-responsive teaching and learning practices in education that place
learners in the very center and pay attention to multiple transitions among learning,
working and living throughout life;
systems to recognize learning outcomes from non-formal and informal learning to create
synergies among different forms of learning;
practices that link different social and economic development sectors in the government
and facilitate the involvement of all stakeholders in lifelong learning; and
coherent government policies and strategies that enable these practices.

United Nations. 2015. Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. [online]
UNESCO. 2013. Promoting Lifelong Learning for All. Advocacy brief from the Workshop on National Policy
Frameworks for Lifelong Learning in the ASEAN Countries. Hanoi, Vietnam, 10-11 January 2013. [online]
3
UNESCO. 2015. EFA Global Monitoring Report 2015. Regional Overview: East Asia and the Pacific, [online]
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Developing an ASEAN Lifelong Learning Agenda (SEAMEO-UNESCO Project)

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2. Expected outcomes
At the national level
Multi-stakeholder/multi-sectoral dialogue on lifelong learning initiated and
strengthened within and among national ministries responsible for lifelong learning
(i.e. basic education, higher education, vocational education) and with other public
and private stakeholder organizations that are involved in the development and
implementation of lifelong learning policies and strategies.
Successful policies and practices in lifelong learning identified, analyzed and
summarized in national reports.
Impediments and possible government responses to improve equity and quality of
lifelong learning identified.
Lessons learned from experience in other ASEAN/SEAMEO countries.
At the regional level
Regional recommendations for policy and programmes promoting lifelong learning
drafted for sharing and consultation in regional policy-making fora.
An online knowledge sharing platform on policies and practices in lifelong learning
created.
Documentation(s) on critical factors for the development and implementation of
holistic and comprehensive approaches towards lifelong learning published and
disseminated.
3. Participating countries
At least seven countries from the SEAMEO Member States are expected to participate in this
project:
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
4. Activities and schedule
1) National consultation: SEAMEO CELLL consults with its governing board members,
who represent the countries involved, concerning this guideline and the nomination of
focal point institutions. The recommended profile of a focal point institution is a research
unit within the Ministry or a research institution/university specializing in education and
lifelong learning. Each country organizes meetings with key stakeholders in lifelong
learning to select categories of successful policies and practices to research (see annex
1, point 5). Such dialogue can include a discussion on how lifelong learning is defined
internationally (annex 2) and be centered around how lifelong learning is interpreted in
national policies and strategies. The purpose of this step is to have an occasion to
discuss and understand the concept of lifelong learning and identify successful practices
in each country.
2) Agreement between participating countries and SEAMEO CELLL: Country focal
points submit a country plan (annex 1) to SEAMEO CELLL. If financial assistance is
requested, SEAMEO CELLL in consultation with UNESCO will decide on the financial
allocation and prepare agreements with national institutions by 6 June. Agreements
include giving SEAMEO and UNESCO the right to use the national report for noncommercial purposes.

Developing an ASEAN Lifelong Learning Agenda (SEAMEO-UNESCO Project)

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3) Documentation of successful policies and practices: Country focal institutions review

existing documentation of successful policies and practices, collect information through
interviews with key persons and write a working paper in the national language. A sample
outline is provided under item 5.
4) National review: Countries organize consultation(s) with a wide range of stakeholders to
discuss the working paper. Based on the feedback provided, the paper should be revised
and shared with the stakeholders.
5) Translation into English: The working paper needs to be translated into English.
Country focal points submit a two page executive summary to SEAMEO CELLL by 20
August and a full draft report by 20 September.
6) Regional Expert Meeting: SEAMEO CELLL will organize a regional Expert Meeting,
tentatively on 4 and 5 October, with its governing board members, national experts and
regional partners. For this meeting, SEAMEO CELLL will prepare a draft regional
synthesis paper based on the executive summary papers and a plan for a regional online
platform for knowledge sharing and learning. After the meeting, both documents will be
reviewed and revised, based on the feedback received from participants. Another output
expected from this meeting is a series of recommendations for policy and programs
promoting inclusive and gender-responsive lifelong learning. Opportunities to report this
recommendation in high-level regional education forums and to mobilize resources will be
pursued.
7) Sharing of learning: After the Expert Meeting, countries can revise and submit a final
paper in national language and English to SEAMEO CELLL by 1 November. This version
will be made available in open access format in the (online) platform and used in different
publications by SEAMEO CELLL and UNESCO.
Major milestones in 2016
10 May:
27 May:
6 June:
June/July/August:
20 August:
20 September:
4-5 October:
1 November:

Nomination of focal point

Submission of country plan
Agreement between countries and SEAMEO CELLL
Drafting and reviewing working paper in national language
Submission of executive summary in English
Submission of full paper in English
Participation in Expert Meeting (Ho Chi Minh City)
Submission of final papers in the national language and English

5. Dissemination and follow-up in 2017

SEAMEO CELLL governing members and country focal institutions are expected to share
their learning from this project by translating some documents from SEAMEO and UNESCO
into national languages; organizing face-to-face and virtual seminars to reach out to district
education officers, teachers and facilitators; and issuing briefings for parliamentarians and
media.

6. Sample outline of national reports

Writing the initial national reports in the national working language(s) is encouraged. The
overall length of the national reports translated to English should be within 22 to 30 pages,
excluding annexes and following the outline below. Please use A4 size, single space and
font size 11.

Developing an ASEAN Lifelong Learning Agenda (SEAMEO-UNESCO Project)

Chapters
Cover page
Abstract (max. 250 words)
Table of contents
Acronyms
Executive summary
Methodology (process of writing and reviewing this report)
Definition and purposes of lifelong learning, current public policy and
governance framework, and national goals/visions
Main body Identify successful policies and practices in holistic and
comprehensive lifelong learning

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Number of pages
1
1
1
1
2
2-4
2
10-14

Describe success in terms of available resources (people, financial,

infrastructure, knowledge), evidence of success in addressing barriers
to inclusion and access to basic learning opportunities, quantitative
and qualitative improvements in provision of learning in all forms.
Identify the remaining challenges and obstacles in lifelong learning.
Ideally, government responses to these will be included in the
conclusion.
Conclusion Future directions/recommendations for the country and
for regional collaboration
References
Total

2-4
2
22-30

Solicit annexes and reference materials in digital formats for inclusion in the online portal.
Audio-visual information (photos and videos in digital format with copyright information; as
much as possible, provide SEAMEO and UNESCO the right to use them for non-commercial
purposes) illustrating successful practices and learners. UNESCO Style Manual will be
applied [online].
7. Financial arrangements
Countries are encouraged to fund and prepare the national paper as their contribution to this
regional project. For each participating country, SEAMEO CELLL will cover the travel cost of
one expert to participate in the Expert Meeting in Ho Chi Minh City. SEAMEO CELL will also
cover an extra days expenses for all SEAMEO CELLL Governing Board Members attending
the Governing Board Meeting prior to this meeting.
SEAMEO CELLL, in consultation with UNESCO, will provide financial support to some
countries upon demand. The amount of financial support for each country will range from
2,000USD to 5,000USD. Selection will be based on having diverse categories and contexts
of lifelong learning practices from countries and a valid plan. Preference will be given to least
developed countries.
8. SEAMEO and UNESCO contacts
SEAMEO Regional Centre for Lifelong Learning http://www.seameocelll.org/
Mr Le Huy Lam (director@seameocelll.org)
Mr Khau Huu Phuoc (khauhuuphuoc@seameocelll.org)
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning www.uil.unesco.org
Ms Rika Yorozu (r.yorozu@unesco.org)

Developing an ASEAN Lifelong Learning Agenda (SEAMEO-UNESCO Project)

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ANNEX 1: TEMPLATE FOR COUNTRY PLAN

Please complete the attached Word form and submit it to SEAMEO CELLL
(director@seameocelll.org) by 27 May 2016 to be considered for financial support. If your
country does not need financial support, kindly submit this form by 03 June 2016.
1 Country name: Click or tap here to enter text.
2 Responsible institution: Click or tap here to enter text.
3 Contact persons name and E mail address: Click or tap here to enter text.
4 Provisional title of report: Click or tap here to enter text.
5 Categories of successful lifelong learning practices (please select up to three major
categories your country would like to share as successful practice.)

PURPOSES OF LIFELONG LEARNING

Gender equality and womens empowerment through lifelong learning
Poverty reduction
Teachers and facilitators continuing professional development
Sustainable development through lifelong learning
SYSTEMS OF LIFELONG LEARNING
Financing for lifelong learning
Measures to address low participation and exclusion in lifelong learning
Linking different sectors (e.g. Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Labour) for lifelong
learning
Collaborations with private and social partners
Multiple and flexible learning pathways for children and adolescents
Recognition, validation and accreditation of nonformal and informal learning
Other approaches linking different forms of learning
Monitoring and evaluating lifelong learning policies and strategies
Research for lifelong learning (e.g. impact assessment)
SITES OF LIFELONG LEARNING
Learning and education practices bridging different sites for lifelong learning (e.g.
schools, higher education, workplaces, libraries, museums, tourist sites)
Community-based learning places and centres
Building learning environments in families, communities, cities and regions
Using distance and ICT-based lifelong learning strategies

Others: Click or tap here to enter text.

6 Government policies and legislation (please provide a brief description of policy/

legislation which will be covered in the report and describe how national and local legislation
is passed in your country):

Click or tap here to enter text.

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7 Levels of education covered in the teaching-learning content of chosen successful

practice(s) (please describe in terms of International Standard Classification of Education
(ISCED) 4 or by school education level):
3F

Click or tap here to enter text.

8 Age group and specific characteristics of learners in the chosen successful
practice(s):

Click or tap here to enter text.

9 Activities planned for writing a national report (desk review, interviews, field visits):

Click or tap here to enter text.

10 Budget (if you would like to request financial support from SEAMEO CELLL, please
provide a budget proposal):
Financial support is not required from SEAMEO CELLL
Financial support is requested from SEAMEO CELLL
Budget item

Unit cost

Cost

Contribution by Govt

UNESCO Institute for Statistics .2012. International Standard Classification of Education: ISCED 2011 [online].

Developing an ASEAN Lifelong Learning Agenda (SEAMEO-UNESCO Project)

ANNEX
2:
How
internationally?

is

lifelong

learning

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defined

Goal 4 of the recently approved UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, focuses on

lifelong learning as an overarching agenda in education. This goal is to : Ensure inclusive
and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The Incheon Declaration adopted in the 2015 World Education Forum has a strong
commitment to promoting quality lifelong learning opportunities for all, in all settings and at
all levels of education. This includes equitable and increased access to quality technical and
vocational education and training and higher education and research, with due attention to
quality assurance. In addition, the provision of flexible learning pathways, as well as the
recognition, validation and accreditation of the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired
through non-formal and informal education, is important. We further commit to ensuring that
all youth and adults, especially girls and women, achieve relevant and recognized functional
literacy and numeracy proficiency levels and acquire life skills, and that they are provided
with adult learning, education and training opportunities. We are also committed to
strengthening science, technology and innovation. Information and communication
technologies (ICTs) must be harnessed to strengthen education systems, knowledge
dissemination, information access, quality and effective learning, and more effective service
provision. * (from Article 10).
In essence, UNESCO defines lifelong learning as rooted in the integration of learning and
living, covering learning activities for people of all ages (children, young people, adults and
the elderly, girls and boys, women and men) in all life-wide contexts (family, school,
community, workplace and so on) and through a variety of modalities (formal, non-formal and
informal) which together meet a wide range of learning needs and demands. Education
systems which promote lifelong learning adopt a holistic and sector-wide approach involving
all sub-sectors and levels to ensure the provision of learning opportunities for all individuals.
For examples of how countries are defining lifelong learning, visit UILs Collection of Lifelong
Learning Policies and Strategies [online].