Editor's Note
The Education Policy and Reform Unit launched its first issue of EPR E-Newsletter in February 2011. The purpose of the E-Newsletter is to keep in touch and build networks with professionals in education sector.
It is hoped to be a channel for knowledge and information exchange on education policy and related activities among policy makers, education planners, researchers and concerned professionals keeping one another informed of what’s happening in the field of education policy and management in the Asia and Pacific region, not only from the sector-wide perspective, but also in those critical to the crossroads of learning and life—such as secondary education as well as technical and vocational education and training.
Taken into consideration valuable feedback and contribution of readers, EPR E-Newsletter was further developed and relauched in April 2012 entitled "Education Policy Matters!"
Previous Issues
Education Policy Matters! Issue no. 45, October 2015
Following the adoption of the landmark 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we have been busy working on many of the educational priorities. In this issue, we highlight some activities in which Education 2030 was discussed in connection to different issues including global education, teacher professional development, learning assessment, lifelong learning, gender equality and skills development. Also of note is the report on Teachers in Asia Pacific: Status and Rights.
Education Policy Matters! Issue no. 44, September 2015
As the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted this month with an education goal strongly focused on the quality of education, we focus on the use of learning assessment for education policymaking. A highlight in this regard was the workshop to build country capacity in conducting analysis of assessment data so as to identify enablers of learning and inform policy. We highlight the experience of Malaysia in particular, while also sharing a new policy brief on the topic. You can also read about the regional meeting on rethinking education through imagining future scenarios and learn about other recent and upcoming events and publications.
Education Policy Matters! Issue no. 43, August 2015
Earlier this month, representatives of governments, civil society, employers and youth came together at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Education and Training (ACET) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities for technical and vocational education and training (TVET). This month’s newsletter brings you the highlights from the Conference including its outcome statement – the Kuala Lumpur Declaration – which is expected to set the direction for skills development in the Asia and the Pacific in the coming years. We hope that this and other materials in our newsletter will give you a sense of recent developments in education and training in our region.
Education Policy Matters! Issue no. 42, July 2015
At the World Education Forum in May 2015, the global community acknowledged that Education for All is an unfinished agenda. Continuous efforts and new commitments are being made by Governments and development partners to address the remaining as well as the emerging challenges. In this issue, we highlight a couple of UNESCO activities to demonstrate such commitments: one is the CapEFA Programme in Myanmar in which UNESCO has committed to support the Government efforts to transform the education sector; another is the efforts to improve the ways we work towards Education for All in the region. We also announce the result of the TVET photo competition and would like to congratulate the 1st place winner from the Philippines. Hope to keep you updated!
Education Policy Matters! Issue no. 41, June 2015
This month, the Happy Schools Seminar took place in Bangkok, focusing on gathering the input of school-level stakeholders (students, teachers and school leaders) as to what constitutes a happy school. Innovative practices to promote learner well-being from the participating schools are featured, as are the perspectives of one our staff who is working on the broader Happy Schools project, which aims to build a framework that can be applied across a range of contexts. In this edition, we also highlight some key publications focusing on happiness, creativity, social and emotional learning and well-being as well as important recent and upcoming events. And the deadline for the TVET photo competition has been extended to 12 July – be sure to enter if you haven’t already!
Education Policy Matters! Issue no. 40, May 2015
May 2015 is another remarkable month as various high-level educational conferences were held to discuss the post 2015 education development agenda and agree on new goals for regional and global education development. In this edition, we highlight a few flagship education conferences, namely the World Education Forum (WEF) in Incheon, the Republic of Korea; the International Conference on ICT for Education in Qingdao, China and the 48th SEAMEO Council Conference, in Chonburi, Thailand. Many more activities took place around the region in response to rapid changes and emerging requests and needs. Hope to keep you informed.
Education Policy Matters! Issue no. 39, April 2015
To draw attention to skills development for the world of work, this month’s newsletter is looking at issues related to graduates’ job preparedness in the United States and achievements in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Afghanistan. Despite significant socio-economic differences between these two countries, both of them are grappling with the same question - how to ensure employability of young people? To capture learning for employability, UNESCO Bangkok is pleased to announce a TVET photo competition which aims to show the changing face of education and training in the Asia-Pacific region. Please spread the word!
Education Policy Matters! Issue no. 38, March 2015
To celebrate International Women’s Day, our March edition focuses on girls and women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). While this has become an increasingly prominent topic across the globe, little is known about girls and women in STEM in this region. We share the highlights from our special event entitled “A Night under the Stars” to launch our new report on this subject, as well as the voices of successful women in STEM, some key facts and inspiring videos.
Education Policy Matters! Issue no. 37, February 2015
21st century skills, life skills, transferable skills, non-cognitive skills. Though the terminology is contested, it is clear that there is increasing emphasis on moving beyond the academic aspects of learning (e.g. literacy, numeracy, sciences). This is to ensure that learners can think critically, respect and cooperate with others, communicate effectively, and contribute meaningfully to the world has become a core priority. This month, we highlight work on this area of “transversal” skills and competencies.
Education Policy Matters! Issue no. 36, January 2015
Welcome to the first edition of Education Policy Matters for 2015! In this edition we start afresh by focusing on innovation in education. As progress to get all children in school stagnates and as the 2015 Education for All deadline approaches, innovation in education becomes critical. In this issue, we learn what start ups, social enterprises and UNESCO colleagues think about innovation in education and regional initiatives in the lead up to 2015. Happy reading!
