RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Education policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from across Southeast Asia have called for stronger regional collaboration to address persistent barriers to education, particularly for children with disabilities, Indigenous communities, and students living in remote areas.

The call emerged during the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Centre Policy Research Network (CPRN) Summit 2026, held in Jakarta from June 9 to 11. The annual forum focused on transforming education research into practical policies that can improve learning opportunities for underserved communities across the region.

According to a statement released in Jakarta on Thursday, June 11, the summit was organized by the SEAMEO Centre for Early Childhood Care Education and Parenting (CECCEP), with support from Indonesian government institutions, including the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SEAMEO and the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Asia and Pacific (GPE KIX EMAP) Hub. The agreement aims to accelerate the translation of research findings into concrete education policies and classroom practices.

Secretary General of Indonesia’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Suharti, emphasized the importance of long-term partnerships among education experts across the region. “The relationships built in this room, shaped through years of collaboration, honest disagreements, and mutual respect, represent a form of policy infrastructure in their own right,” she said.

Suharti noted that policy research often works behind the scenes and rarely attracts public attention, yet it plays a crucial role in shaping the future of education. She stressed that evidence-based policymaking remains essential to ensuring better learning outcomes for all children.

SEAMEO Secretariat Director Datuk Habibah Abdul Rahim said the partnership carries special significance as SEAMEO celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. “Through this collaboration, we hope to expand cross-border learning opportunities, strengthen promising practices, and contribute to more responsive and inclusive education systems for learners across Southeast Asia and beyond,” she said.

The Summit also highlighted the importance of empowering local expertise. GPE KIX EMAP Hub Director José Luís Benito Canêlhas said the organization is committed to working with local institutions and experts in partner countries. He emphasized that the ultimate goal is to ensure no child is left behind, as Southeast Asian nations work together to build more equitable and inclusive education systems for future generations.