Up to 80% of future jobs in Asean will require at least basic digital skills by 2030.
This is among the region’s key challenges highlighted in a series of thematic studies to support the development of targeted evidence-based interventions to support girls, women and marginalised groups to close the development gap.
The studies, based on three pillars, namely, strengthening foundational learning for boys and girls, engaging out-of-school girls and marginalised groups, and tackling gender barriers to basic digital skills for employment, are part of the Asean-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Education (SAGE) Programme to address gender disparities in education across South-East Asia.
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Developed in partnership with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), the programme introduces a framework aimed at understanding and tackling inequalities in educational outcomes for girls, women and other marginalised groups in the region, a press release dated Nov 15 read.
The framework suggests that by recognising education participation as lifelong, there are greater chances for girls and women to be empowered not just in education, but also in the wider economic and societal contexts.
The first of its kind in Asean, the framework can be used to support regional monitoring, and to identify gaps and underlying factors that explain critical differences in key educational, social and economic outcomes nationally and regionally.
In addition to presenting the available evidence on the situation in the region, the studies identify concrete, promising, evidence-based initiatives and suggest priorities for future investment by the Asean-UK SAGE Programme.
These studies will also be disseminated to relevant policymakers in Asean member states.
A pioneering initiative in support of the Asean-UK Plan of Action (2022-2026), the Asean-UK SAGE Programme is delivered by the British Council and the Southeast Asian Ministers’ of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) Secretariat, in partnership with Acer and EdTech Hub.
Ambassador of the UK to Asean Sarah Tiffin said improving access to education and foundational learning outcomes for girls and marginalised groups is vital, and the UK government is committed to supporting this through the Asean-UK SAGE Programme. “These research studies will be extremely useful for decision-makers in the region as they develop informed policies and interventions to support women and girls across the region,” she said.
To help combat gender disparities, Acer research director (Education and Development) Jeaniene Spink said it is critical to understand the education experiences of girls throughout their lives.
“That is why we’ve developed a new innovative approach to help address learning poverty in the Asean region and ensure that all girls meet their potential,” she said.
