Lapus assumes SEAMEO presidency

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu , Philippines  — The Philippines takes the lead in meeting the challenges of the 21st century in areas of education, science and culture as Education Secretary Jesli Lapus is installed president of the South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO).

Outgoing SEAMEO president Chinnaworn Boonyakiat of Thailand has turned over the presidency to Lapus during the 45th South East Asian Ministers of Education Council (SEAMEC) Conference and 5th ASEAN Ministers of Education (ASED) Meeting being held (Jan. 27-29) at the Shangri-la Hotel in Mactan, Cebu.

Attending the meetings are the Ministers of Education of 11 SEAMEO member-countries namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Yassin and Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thien Nhan served as Education Ministers of their country.

As president, Lapus is set to steer SEAMEO into a more dynamic organization that gives special focus on two main thrusts: early childhood care for learners and the use of technology in education.

“Our assumption of the helm of SEAMEO on its 45th year is critical as it is the crossroad between the 20th and 21st century with a myriad of exciting challenge,” Lapus said.

“The success of the newly established China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) which forms an economic block of 1.9 billion people demands concerted adjustments and improvements in the education standards in the ASEAN Region. Our human resource is key,” Lapus added.

Established in 1965 SEAMEO predates the ASEAN. It is a chartered international organization successfully promoting cooperation in education, science and culture in the South East Asian region.

Lapus said that the Philippines is ready to help its neighbors in the southeast Asian region develop English training programs to improve the proficiency of teachers and students in the said language as the regional group continues to strenghten its ties.

Aside from helping ASEAN allies in English, Lapus said that the Philippines was also willing to share its experiences in their pursuit to improve the school based management and leadership skills of public school principals throughout the country in partnership with the Asian Institute of Management. He added that the program has already earned the interest of other ASEAN countries for its apparent success.