Opportunities for Enhancing Primary Education Quality and International Cooperation: A Case Study of Vietnam under the SEA-PLM Programme

Abstract

The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) program, an initiative jointly implemented by SEAMEO and UNICEF, was first launched in 2018 with the participation of six Southeast Asian countries, including Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. SEA-PLM evaluates the competencies of primary school students in core areas such as reading comprehension, mathematics, and global citizenship. The assessments provided by SEA-PLM not only offer comparative data among nations but also support educational policymaking and foster regional cooperation. The authors collected data from UNICEF, SEAMEO, and the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, employing surveys and in-depth interviews with students, teachers, and parents participating in the program to assess its impact on primary education in Vietnam. The research results demonstrate that SEA-PLM has contributed to improving the quality of primary education in Vietnam and other participating Southeast Asian countries. However, factors such as teacher capacity, infrastructure, and parental awareness significantly influence the program's effectiveness. The authors proposes several optimization solutions: expanding international cooperation, sharing experiences on educational policies, and innovating teaching methods.