Langkawi: The Langkawi Joint Statement on ASEAN Out-of-School Children and Youth (OOSCY) has been proposed as a guiding framework to advance collective action in ensuring inclusive access to education and learning opportunities across the region. Education ministers from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste are expected to deliberate on the draft during the closed-door ASEAN Ministers of Education Roundtable session tomorrow.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the proposed joint statement reflects a collective commitment by ASEAN countries to intensify efforts in tackling the OOSCY issue, worsened by poverty, conflict, climate change, and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Developed through extensive consultations with member countries, the draft encapsulates the shared priorities and strategies that emerged from the forum's discussions.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek is scheduled to deliver the opening remarks at the EduRoundtables2025 tomorrow, followed by a press conference. Tackling the OOSCY issue remains a key agenda at the ASEAN Education Ministers Roundtable session, especially after a joint study by EdTech Hub and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Secretariat estimates that the region has around 11.8 million dropouts, representing nearly five percent of the global OOSCY figure.
Addressing the OOSCY issue in Malaysia, MOE Director of Educational Planning and Research Division Dr. Nor Saidatul Rajeah Zamzam Amin said there are three categories: those out of school (never been to school), those who dropped out (after initially enrolled), and those at risk of dropping out. During her presentation titled 'Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Mitigate Dropouts' at the forum themed, 'Leveraging Technology and Innovative Strategies to Reduce OOSCY Barriers,' she said the ministry is utilising the MOE Student Tracking System, enhanced with AI, to help address the issue.
'Based on students' personal, academic, psychometric, geolocation, and other relevant data, the AI system can predict dropout probabilities, suggest suitable learning pathways (including vocational options), and propose career pathways to reduce OOSCY. This helps us plan and implement targeted interventions such as financial aid or counselling,' she said. Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship this year with the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', marking its fifth time holding the position, having previously chaired in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.