Inclusive Education in Asia: Myth or Reality?

This article is published in collaboration with the  Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia.

Has the current pandemic changed our behaviors and the way students and children learn? Yes, definitely.

Does the new normal contribute to an equal and more inclusive education system in Asia? The answer is not that simple.

While the transition to a digital economy is accelerating in many parts of Asia, with several Southeast Asian nations among the fastest-growing digital economies in the world, the advances are not reaching all places and groups at the same rate. Socioeconomic disparities, for example, result in unequal access to technology as well as gender gaps, as girls are underrepresented in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The disparities also lead to unequal access to education, with some schools lacking the capacity and infrastructure to support marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities.

All these issues and challenges have been accentuated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated the fourth Industrial Revolution but also impaired the mental and social health of many students.

Training of educators is lacking and educational technology is misused by teachers—the backbone of education—resulting in ethical issues such as cyberbullying and invasion of data privacy.

Students need to improve and strengthen core soft skills such as decision-making, critical thinking, and teamwork, among others, to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

Yet, there is room for optimism.

Online learning is becoming more common and, for those who have an internet connection, more accessible, affordable, and mobile. New forms of blended and hybrid learning may complement and replace traditional teaching and reach a wider audience, with thousands of students connected at the same time, wherever they are. In Singapore, for example, Akadasia, a mission-driven education technology business, seeks to empower educators everywhere by providing a digital platform for peer learning and exchange. Another example is Pre-School, a consultancy company that provides business-to-business solutions and services such as teacher training, student programs, and curriculum development, emphasizing family support as teachers and families must work together.

Priorities for policymakers

Policymakers across Asia must monitor these fast-changing developments and work with education and training partners to promote inclusive education. Important priorities include the following:

Tackling inequity, exclusion, and marginalization with teacher training and workshops. Education must be tailored for students with special skills and needs. Many teachers lack the skills to teach people in marginalized communities, including students with disabilities, those affected by cyberbullying, and those, particularly girls, facing barriers to STEM education because of sociocultural norms. Policymakers across ASEAN must implement appropriate training and skills programs to equip teachers with the tools to provide more inclusive education.

Strengthening teachers’ skills and competencies for digital inclusion. As new generations of students become more technology savvy and capable of looking for information online, the issue of teachers’ digital upskilling, with a focus on inclusion, becomes increasingly important. Education ecosystems need to balance students’ social-emotional and cognitive skills; strengthen students’ basic skills; and equip students with the work skills that will enable them to improve society and with self-awareness, creativity, mindfulness, and positive psychology.

Developing more flexible and dynamic curricula. Teaching methods must reflect and adapt to the current context and prepare for the future. Students must learn how to become more agile and adaptive and how to collaborate and participate in solving problems.

Enhancing physical infrastructure to create a healthy environment for students and improving digital technology. A safe school environment is vital not only for children but also for the reputation and awareness of the school.

With more funding from the government, digital equipment such as computers, data centers, and internet access can be improved for a more comprehensive digital experience. Many countries in ASEAN are putting education and skills at the center of their post-pandemic recovery strategies. They emphasize the need to combine investment in (digital) infrastructure with more "soft" tools to promote lifelong learning and effective leadership and management skills of all education staff. For example, in Cambodia, quality teaching and a healthy school environment are seen as building blocks to be combined with project-based learning and general entrepreneurial skills.

Broadening partnerships. Collaborations are essential to education and training. Promoting public–private partnerships is urgent, as is proactively engaging all stakeholders, especially research institutes, think tanks, and other education-oriented institutions, to take the quality of education to new heights.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai said: "One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world." We adapt her words: "One computer, one child, and one teacher can make the world a better place."

This op-ed summarizes the insights that emerged from the ERIA–Asian Network online conference, "The Future of Education in Asia and Skills in Asia." Speakers included Hang Chuon Naron, Cambodia’s minister of education, youth, and sports; Mariagrazia Squicciarini, chief executive officer, Social and Human Sciences Sector, United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization; and Neelesh Bhatia, co-founder and CEO, Akadasia; among others.

The article first appeared on Borneo Bulletin on 13 May 2022.