Strengthening foundational learning through regional collaboration

Friday, 8 Aug 2025

Each year on 8 August, ASEAN Day marks the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – a pivotal moment in regional cooperation. This annual milestone not only commemorates the region’s shared history, but also highlights its collective commitment to equitable development. For the Australian Council for Educational Research, it is a timely opportunity to reflect on how collaborative efforts are helping to drive meaningful progress in education across the region.

One such effort is through the ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Education (ASEAN-UK SAGE) programme – the first initiative under the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action (2022–2026). The 5-year programme aims to support ASEAN member states to develop effective policies and programmes that improve foundational learning and tackle constraints limiting the achievement of girls, women and marginalised groups. The ASEAN-UK SAGE programme is delivered by British Council and SEAMEO Secretariat, in partnership with EdTech Hub and ACER. It is an ASEAN cooperation programme funded by UK International Development.

As part the ASEAN-UK SAGE programme, ACER is contributing to a pilot project in Cambodia aimed at strengthening the monitoring and evaluation capacity of teacher educators, mentors and school leaders. The project equips education personnel with tools and training to assess the effectiveness of classroom practices, teaching materials and formative assessments in supporting early grade learning. ACER designed the overall approach, including a classroom observation framework, materials evaluation tools, and a comprehensive training program. This initiative forms part of Pillar 1 of the ASEAN-UK SAGE programme, which focuses on strengthening foundational learning – one of three core pillars guiding the programme’s work across the region.

The pilot is also closely aligned with the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV – ASEAN’s key strategy for narrowing the development gap between member states and ensuring inclusive progress across the region. Education is one of 5 strategic focus areas under the IAI framework.

In July, a major milestone was reached when ACER researchers delivered a 9-day training program in Kampot, Cambodia, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and SEAMEO TED. Sixty observers – including staff from teacher training colleges and MoEYS – were trained to use the newly developed tools, which include a teacher survey, observer manual, and a set of Khmer-language classroom videos. The training also included school visits, giving participants practical experience and ensuring consistency in how observations are conducted.

The next phase of the pilot will see observers conduct 120 classroom observations across 8 provinces. This work will help MoEYS gather crucial evidence on the effectiveness of early grade reading instruction and materials. The findings will inform national-level recommendations on improving instruction, developing teaching guides, enhancing mentor training, and strengthening pre-service teacher education. Results will be shared at a regional stakeholder workshop in December 2025.

On ASEAN Day, we recognise that lasting education reform is built on strong, sustained partnerships. ACER is proud to collaborate with ASEAN institutions, national ministries, donor governments and other organisations to support evidence-based policies that promote quality education for all. Through initiatives like the ASEAN-UK SAGE programme and alignment with the IAI Work Plan IV, ACER remains committed to advancing the region’s shared education goals and supporting the development of more inclusive, equitable and resilient systems across Southeast Asia.

Further reading

Read about promising initiatives to advance girls’ education in the ASEAN region.

Learn more about the ASEAN-UK SAGE partnership.

Read, Addressing the data and education gap in Timor-Leste.