An education breakout session took centre stage at the SEA Youth Summit, bringing together young people from across Southeast Asia to discuss how education can better meet the needs of the region’s next generation.

The session, held with the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia as the Topic Partner for Education, alongside ICDL Asia and the Embassy of Ireland, provided a platform for youth delegates to exchange perspectives and ideas on building a more inclusive, accessible and future-ready education landscape in Southeast Asia.

Designed as an interactive roundtable, the education breakout session featured delegates from Malaysia, Laos and Myanmar, each bringing perspectives from their respective countries on the challenges, opportunities and priorities shaping education across Southeast Asia. Through an exchange of ideas, the session explored how education systems can become more inclusive and future-ready while equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to navigate a rapidly changing world. 

Laos: Call for action on rural teacher shortages

The session opened with Pavina Vongsakda from Laos, who focused on the challenges facing education in Laos' remote communities and the need for a more locally driven approach.

More than 30% of primary school classrooms in remote districts operate as multi-grade classrooms, where one teacher teaches students from Grades 1, 2 and 3 in the same room. Pavina highlighted how the shortage of qualified teachers continues to affect rural and ethnic communities, with schools often relying on underpaid volunteer teachers who would eventually leave due to burnout.

She proposed that the Laos Ministry of Education and Sports establish a targeted, community-based teacher scholarship pipeline by 2027. The initiative would recruit rural and ethnic youth from districts with a shortage of teachers, provide teacher training and encourage them to return to serve their home communities for at least five years. 

While training local youth may take longer than relocating educators, Pavina argued that relying on relocated teachers has repeatedly presented challenges, with many seeking transfers back to major cities. She called for greater investment in local educators, stressing that without stronger support for rural teachers, young people in these communities risk being left behind.

Malaysia: Changing perceptions of TVET and strengthening ASEAN ties

Representing Malaysia, Yoom Si Kee challenged the idea that there is only one path to career success, pointing to the country’s diverse education pathways from universities and community colleges to vocational institutions, polytechnics and TVET. She also highlighted the continuing gap between education and industry needs.

Yoom highlighted TVET’s role in bridging this gap by equipping students with practical, industry-relevant skills through hands-on training, industry partnerships, real projects, internships and workplace exposure. She said this approach could prepare young people not only for current employment opportunities but also for emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, green jobs and energy storage.

She also called for a shift in perceptions of TVET, noting that it is still often viewed as a second choice for students who are less academically inclined. More success stories and clearer career pathways, she argued, could help students and parents better understand the opportunities and career growth that TVET can offer. 

Beyond initial education, Yoom stressed the importance of lifelong learning as the nature of work continues to change. She pointed to micro-credentials, reskilling and upskilling as ways for workers to adapt, switch career paths and remain relevant as new industries and technologies emerge.

Looking ahead, she proposed a three-year plan to strengthen the image and positioning of TVET while encouraging greater cooperation among ASEAN countries. While each country has its own education system and industry priorities, she said there is an opportunity to work together to develop talent for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

Myanmar: Education recognition must be able to cross borders too

The session continued with Salai Billy Graham from Myanmar, who highlighted the gap between access to education and formal recognition faced by displaced and migrant children. He noted that many Myanmar children continue their studies at migrant learning centres in Thailand, where they attend classes, sit for assessments and spend years receiving an education. However, they may struggle to have their education recognised when they enter the formal education system across the border.

To address this, Salai proposed a Portable Learner Pass that would give students a digital or paper record of the subjects they have studied, the skills they have gained, their assessment results, and their level of study. He suggested aligning these records with the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF), which would allow education and training institutions across the region to better understand and assess the qualifications students have obtained.

He proposed starting with a 12-month pilot in Thailand involving community education networks, education institutions and relevant ASEAN stakeholders, before presenting the findings to the ASEAN Education Ministers’ Meeting. Salai called on ASEAN to support the pilot and explore how the system could help students have their education recognised across borders.

He stressed that while the region may not be able to determine where displaced children live or when they can return home, it can ensure that the education they receive is properly recorded and remains recognised when they move across borders.

Salai’s proposal also earned him the Best Speaker award for the session, along with a RM300 prize.

Experts react to the proposals: Preparing education for a changing future

Industry expert Tina Wu, CEO of the International Certification of Digital Literacy (ICDL), encouraged delegates to move beyond broad policy ideas and focus on practical steps that can be tested and put into practice. She supported the community-based teacher proposal for rural Laos, while stressing the importance of starting with small pilot projects that can be expanded based on the results.

She also highlighted the need to look at how TVET is presented to students and parents. Better use of employment data, she said, could help them understand available career opportunities, although past data alone cannot fully predict the skills that will be needed in the future.

Responding to Salai’s proposal on cross-border education, she highlighted the need for stronger recognition of skills and qualifications across ASEAN. She said micro-credentials and skills-based approaches could make it easier for students to have their learning recognised when they move across borders.

Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Malaysia, Emma McLoughlin, said education systems must be able to adapt as technology continues to reshape the workplace. Rather than focusing only on specific courses for specific jobs, she stressed the need for closer cooperation between policymakers, industry and higher education to prepare young people for a changing economy.

She also highlighted the continued importance of human skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and collaboration, alongside digital and AI skills.

Different challenges, one common goal

As the discussion drew to a close, the delegates reflected on the ideas raised throughout the session, taking into account feedback from industry and education representatives. Their proposals focused on practical solutions to address the changing needs of education, skills and employment across the region.

From strengthening teacher support in rural Laos, to changing perceptions of TVET in Malaysia and improving recognition of education received by displaced children from Myanmar, the session highlighted the different education challenges facing Southeast Asia. At the same time, it showed the importance of giving young people opportunities to gain relevant skills, continue learning and build their futures.

Learn more about the See Youth Summit via the official website or visit KiniEvents Instagram for a closer look at the day’s highlights. 

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