SEAMEO RECFON participated in The National Launch of the 2023 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report in Southeast Asia in Indonesia, organized by the SEAMEO Regional Open Learning Centre (SEAMOLEC) on 27 February 2025, at Building A, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Jakarta.

The event was attended by six SEAMEO Centres in Indonesia, namely SEAMEO BIOTROP, SEAMEO CECCEP, SEAMEO RECFON, SEAMEO QITEP in Language, SEAMEO QITEP in Mathematics, and SEAMEO QITEP in Science, with SEAMEO RECFON represented by Dr. Dwi Nastiti Iswarawanti.

The report highlights the benefits and challenges of integrating technology into the region’s education systems. SEAMOLEC contributed to the report’s development in collaboration with UNESCO, SEAMEO Secretariat, and EdTech Hub. The report explores how technology can serve as a transformative tool for education to support Southeast Asia’s development.

Developed through extensive research, the report incorporates case studies from various countries and thematic studies conducted by SEAMEO centres. These studies cover topics such as open and distance learning, the use of technology for students with disabilities, the integration of technology in teaching practices, key policies on information and communication technology (ICT) in education, and the application of technology in technical and vocational education.

As part of the national launch, a panel discussion was held under the theme “Digitalizing Education: Enhancing Access, Quality, and Learning Effectiveness.” The discussion featured three speakers: Irsyad Zamjani, Ph.D (Education Standard, Curriculum, and Assessment Agency), Mohammad Adning, Ph.D (Center for Data and Information Technology), and Dr. Medira Ferayanti, S.S., M.A (Directorate General of Teachers, Education Personnel, and Teacher Education). The session was moderated by Prof. Dr Siswantoyo, S.Pd., M.Kes., AIFO (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta).

The report identifies key challenges in leveraging technology for education in Southeast Asia, including equity and inclusion, learning quality, efficiency, and regulation. To maximise the benefits of technology in education, the report underlined the importance of ensuring equitable access for all learners, implementing sound regulatory and governance frameworks, and strengthening teachers’ capacity to effectively integrate technology into teaching and learning.

The national launch of the 2023 GEM report serves as a strategic moment for education stakeholders to formulate more inclusive and effective technology-driven policies. By optimising the use of technology, the quality of learning in Southeast Asia is expected to continue improving, contributing to the region’s sustainable development.