Global education monitoring report 2023, Southeast Asia: technology in education: a tool on whose terms? Summary

Southeast Asia has experienced a rapid growth in the adoption of digital technology. There are an estimated 400 million internet users in the region. In 2020 alone, 40 million people went online for the first time. The potential of this expansion has been identified to transform education and meet the region’s development aspirations, for example, through personalized tutoring and testing, learning management systems, language learning and skills development.

But before rushing to deploy the latest technology, the report asks policymakers to consider the main education challenges, those related to equity and inclusion, quality, and efficiency. Technology is one of many potential tools that can be deployed to improve education outcomes – but it can also exacerbate some of these challenges. In any case, for technology’s potential to be realized, essential conditions need to be met related to the equitable distribution of digital technology infrastructure, evidence-driven decision-making, good regulatory frameworks and sustained investment in teachers.

Produced by the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report team, in partnership with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), and with the contribution of the EdTech Hub, the report covers 11 countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam. It is informed by nine country case studies, five thematic studies, and inputs by SEAMEO affiliate members and partners.

Building on the 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report, this regional edition recognizes the emphasis given to technology in Southeast Asia for socioeconomic development, which is being reflected in a focus on digital skills development and investment in connectivity. It urges governments to ask whether the application of technology in education is: appropriate, helping improve learning; equitable, not leaving any one behind; scalable, based on evidence and a solid assessment of costs; and sustainable, in terms not only.

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