ASEAN WORK PLAN ON EDUCATION 2026–2030 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967.The Member States of the Association are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR,Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam.The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia. For inquiries, contact: The ASEAN SecretariatCommunity Relations Division (CRD)70A Jalan SisingamangarajaJakarta 12110IndonesiaPhone: (62 21) 724-3372, 726-2991Fax: (62 21) 739-8234, 724-3504E-mail:public@asean.org ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2026–2030Jakarta: ASEAN Secretariat, July 2026 370.9591. ASEAN–Education–Programmes2. Implementation–Monitoring and Evaluation–Resource Mobilisation ASEAN: A Community of Opportunities for All The text of this publication may be freely quoted or reprinted, provided properacknowledgement is given and a copy containing the reprinted material is sentto the Community Relations Division (CRD) of the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta. General information on ASEAN appears online at the ASEAN Website: www.asean.org Copyright Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026.All rights reserved. ASEAN WORK PLAN ON EDUCATION2026–2030 CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS FOREWORD The Work Plan also recognises the growingimportance of digital technologies—includingArtificial Intelligence (AI)—in shaping the future ofeducation. It affirms the need to harness theseopportunities in ways that are responsible, safe, andequitable, while ensuring that education continuesto nurture well-rounded, resilient, and values-drivenindividuals. In doing so, the Work Plan highlightsthe importance of partnership across governments,education institutions, communities, the private sector,and ASEAN bodies and mechanisms. Education is central to ASEAN’s aspirationto build a resilient, innovative, dynamic, andpeople-centred Community. As the region moves forward under the ASEANCommunity Vision 2045, theASEAN Work Planon Education 2026–2030reaffirms our sharedcommitment to strengthening inclusive, forward-looking,and responsive education systems that meet thediverse needs of all learners across ASEAN. This Work Plan has been developed at a criticalmoment in time for education in the region.ASEAN Member States have made importantprogress in expanding access, deepening regionalcooperation, and advancing key reforms in areas suchas Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), digitaltransformation, higher education, and Technical andVocational Education and Training (TVET). As a regional framework, this Work Planreflects both ASEAN’s shared ambitionsand the diversity of its Member States.Its successful implementation will depend onsustained collaboration, mutual learning,effective resource mobilisation, and a strongcommitment to monitoring progress andtranslating priorities into action. Yet, significant challenges remain. ASEAN continues to experience persistent inequalitiesin access to education and learning outcomes, skillsmismatches, uneven system capacity and financingpressures, to name a few. We commend all those who have contributed to thedevelopment of this Work Plan. We also call uponMember States, regional partners, developmentpartners, education stakeholders, including civilsociety and the private sector, to actively support itsimplementation in the years ahead. These challenges are further intensified by the urgencyto ensure that learners are well-equipped to tackle therapidly evolving technological, social, economic, andenvironmental shifts. TheASEAN Work Plan on Education 2026–2030responds to these challenges through a sharedregional framework for action. It seeks to supportMember States in building inclusive, comprehensive,and transformative education systems that promoteequitable access and participation, enhance therelevance of education to sustainable developmentand the future of work, improve learning outcomesand learner well-being, strengthen evidence-basedgovernance and accountability, deepen regionalcooperation, and foster a stronger sense of ASEANidentity and belonging. We encourage all stakeholders not only to build onexisting achievements and good practices, but also towork collectively to address persistent and emergingchallenges in education across the region. Throughthis collective effort, ASEAN can further strengthenits education systems towards a shared regional futurewhere together, we champion prosperity, socialcohesion, and resilience for all. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Development of theASEAN Work Plan on Education 2026–2030was led by the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting onEducation (SOM-ED) with coordination efforts from the ASEAN Secretariat, and technical support from UNESCO.Deep appreciation is also extended to the SOM-ED Focal Points and representatives from all ASEAN MemberStates for their guidance, substantive inputs, as well as active engagement throughout the consultation anddrafting process. The generous support of the Government of