Langkawi Joint Statement Proposed To Strengthen ASEAN Efforts On OOSCY
Deputy Director, Educational Planning and Research Division Dr. Wan Raisuha Wan Ali while present the joint statement at the ASEAN Education Forum themed "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Mitigating OOSCY Challenges," held in conjunction with the ASEAN Education and Higher Education Ministers' Roundtable 2025 (#EduRoundtables2025) here today. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED
By R. Vikneswaran
LANGKAWI, June 18 (Bernama) -- The Langkawi Joint Statement on ASEAN Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) has been proposed as a guiding framework to advance collective action in ensuring inclusive access to education and learning opportunities across the region.
Ministry of Education (MOE) Deputy Director of the Education Planning and Research Division Dr Wan Raisuha Wan Ali, presented the draft of the joint statement following the conclusion of the ASEAN Education Forum attended by senior officials as part of the ASEAN Ministers of Education and Higher Education Roundtables (#EduRoundtables2025), here today.
Education ministers from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste are expected to deliberate on the draft during the closed-door ASEAN Ministers of Education Roundtable session tomorrow.
The proposed joint statement reflects a collective commitment by ASEAN countries to intensify efforts in tackling the OOSCY issue, worsened by poverty, conflict, climate change and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Developed through extensive consultations with member countries, the draft encapsulates the shared priorities and strategies that emerged from the forum's discussions.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek is scheduled to deliver the opening remarks at the EduRoundtables2025 tomorrow, followed by a press conference.
Tackling the OOSCY issue remains a key agenda at the ASEAN Education Ministers Roundtable session, especially after a joint study by EdTech Hub and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat estimates that the region has around 11.8 million dropouts, representing nearly five per cent of the global OOSCY figure.
Addressing on OOSCY issue in Malaysia, MOE Director of Educational Planning and Research Division Dr Nor Saidatul Rajeah Zamzam Amin said there are three categories - those out of school (never been to school), those who dropped out (after initially enrolled) and those at risk of dropping out.
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