FIRST CONFERENCE OF SEASPF

Report of THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE SEASPF JAKARTA-INDONESIA,

15 – 18 AUGUST 2008

INTRODUCTIONS

1. The First Conference of the South East Asia School Principals Forum was held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 15 – 18 August 2008.

2. The meeting was attended by delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Director SEAMES, ASEAN Secretariat representative, President ICP and President ASPA were also in attendance. The list of delegates appears as Annex 1.

AGENDA ITEM 1 : OPENING STATEMENT

3. Surya Dharma, M.PA, Ph.D, Director for Educational Personnel, Ministry of National Education in his capacity as Chairman of RTM for ASEAN Educational Leaders welcomes all the delegates and eminent resources person. In his opening statement, Surya Dharma noted that the establishment of the South East Asia School Principals Forum had emanated from the recommendation of the 2nd RTM for ASEAN Educational Leaders held in Bali, Indonesia 26 – 28 November 2007. He recalled that the First Conference of the South East Asia School Principals Forum with the theme: “Strengthening the South East Asia School Principals Forum as the Actor of Human Centered Development in the Context of Increasingly Globalize World” is timely and relevant to anticipate the changes of challenge in the development of school principal leadership.

4. Surya Dharma in his opening statement referred to the action taken by the Government of Indonesia to realize the recommendations of RTM II of ASEAN Educational Leaders : The establishment of the permanent secretariat since April 2008 and the selection of the President SEASPF where Dr. Sugiarto was chosen from among several candidates. The full text of Mr. Surya Dharma opening statement appears as Annex 2.

AGENDA ITEM 2: ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON

5. The meeting elected Dr. Sugiarto, President of SEASPF and Mrs. Noor Rezan binti Bapoo Hashim of Malaysia as Vice Chairperson of the meeting.

AGENDA ITEM 3: ADOPTION OF AGENDA

6. The meeting considered and adopted the agenda for the First Conference of the South East Asia School Principals Forum which appears as Annex 3.

AGENDA ITEM 4: BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS

7. The meeting was held in plenary

AGENDA ITEM 5: STATEMENT BY THE HEAD OF DELEGATIONS

8. The Head of Delegations respectively Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia expressed their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Government of Indonesia particularly the Directorate for Educational Personnel, Ministry of National Education for the continuous support in elevating the provisional quality of school principals in the South East Asia region. The delegates are expecting that the conference would produce a set of recommendation that would enhance the collaboration of school principals among South East Asia countries. The statements by Heads of Delegation which appears as Annex 4.

AGENDA ITEM 6: RELEVANT MATTERS ARISING FROM RTM II ASEAN EDUCATIONAL LEADERS

9. The meeting noted the information paper on the Relevant Matters Arising from RTM II ASEAN Educational Leaders presented by the SEASPF Secretariat which appears as Annex 5.

10. The meeting noted that RTM II of ASEAN Educational Leaders has set the direction of possible areas of SEASPF to be incorporated in the work programme.

OPENING CEREMONY

11. Dr. Surya Dharma, M.PA, Ph.D Director for Educational Personnel, Ministry of National Education in his report as Chairperson of the Round Table Meeting RTM II informed that the agenda and the focus of the First Conference of the South East Asia School Principals Forum will revolve around the organizational aspects of SEASPF and work programme including preferential work programme for certain South East Asian countries which allow them to achieve equitable level on school leadership professionalism with more advanced countries in the region. The full text of the report by Chairperson RTM II ASEAN Educational Leaders which appears as Annex 6.

12. Dr. Ahamad bin Siphon, Director SEAMES in his remarks expressed the appreciation to the establishment of South East Asia School Principals Forum (SEASPF). He also highlighted the mechanism of the terms of reference ASEAN Round Table Meeting for ASEAN Educational Leaders to report to SEAMEO High Official meeting for information and support. The SEAMEO secretariat would be happy to work together with the member countries interested in tabling the paper, to produce the necessary papers for the high officials. The full text of the remarks of Director SEAMES appears as Annex 7.

13. Dr. Kate Griffin, President of ICP in her remarks highlighted the acceleration of the establishment of South East Asia School Principals Forum (SEASPF) since the RTM II for ASEAN Educational Leaders in 2007 held in Bali. She also informed of the intention of ICP to support the managerial capability of South East Asia School Principals Forum. The full text of remarks by President ICP appears as Annex 8.

14. Prof. Dr. Bambang Sudibyo, Minister of National Education of the Republic of Indonesia officially open the First Conference of the South East Asia School Principals Forum and has delivered the inaugural address pertaining to imperative qualities in education which has been translated into 8 national standards. The imperative qualities in education comprises of: (1) Standard of content, (2) Standard of competence, (3) Standard of learning process, (4) Standard of assessment, (5) Standard of teachers and educational personnel, (6) Standard of facilities and infrastructure, (7) Standard education management and (8) Standard of financing, which will bring a new challenge for the development of leadership and management of school principals.

15. Prof. Dr. Bambang Sudibyo in his inaugural address underlined three waves of education reforms respectively the first wave was the amendment of 1945 constitution which includes education, second wave which is marked by the law of the Republic of Indonesia no. 20/ 2003 of the National Education System and the third wave which marked by the enactment law of the Republic of Indonesia no. 14/ 2005.

16. In the closing paragraph of his inaugural address, Prof. Dr. Bambang Sudibyo recalled the conference that the education reforms which bring us new challenge call a greater commitment. Therefore he is confident that the South East Asia School Principals Forum through the Jakarta Concord will capitalize on its strong foundation and build upon its network of relationship to scale greater heights in the years ahead, including the possibility one of the SEAMEO centre. The full text of inaugural address of Bambang Sudibyo appears as Annex 9.


AGENDA ITEM 7: RELEVANT DECISIONS OF ASEAN RELATED TO SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AFFAIRS

17. The meeting noted the information paper on the Relevant Decisions of ASEAN related to school principal affairs presented by ASEAN Secretariat which appears as Annex 10.

18. The meeting noted that the Bali concord II which was adopted in 2003 has establish 3 pillars of Asian community namely political and security cooperation, economic cooperation and socio-cultural cooperation that are closely intertwined one another and mutually reinforcing the purpose of ensuring durable peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region. This socio-cultural community covers a wide range of social aspects, from education, science and technology, youth, environment, health, women, social welfare, poverty reduction, labor, civil services, arts and information. This pillar is the backbone of our community that is people-centered.

AGENDA ITEM 8: RELEVANT DECISIONS OF SEAMEO RELATED TO SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AFFAIRS

19. The meeting noted the information paper on the Relevant Decisions of SEAMEO related to school principal affairs which appears as Annex 11.

20. The meeting noted that SEAMEO has establish 11 specialize regional centre and for centers on tropical medicine and public health. SEAMEO also welcome the intention of SEASPF to become one of the SEAMEO center. AGENDA ITEM 9: RELEVANT INFORMATION OF ICP AND ASPA

21. The meeting noted the recommendation ASPA to the SEASPF work programme to consider 3 pillars of principalship namely (1) Student learning, (2) Advocacy and networking, (3) The profession. Priorities of SEASPF need to focus on two broad areas namely strategies and major projects. Strategies consist of: building school leadership capacity, improving school wellbeing, closing the gap for indigenous students and major projects consist of: leaders lead, mind matters and kids matter and dare to lead. The full text of the ICP information paper appears as Annex 12.

22. The meeting also noted the information paper pertaining to 9th World Convention of International Confederation of Principals 2009 which appear as Annex 13. AGENDA ITEM 10: RELEVANT INFORMATION OF EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE (ETS)

23. The meeting noted the information paper of Dr. Shirley Hall of Educational Testing Service pertaining the comprehensive research-driven professional development for teachers and school leaders and professional development rooted in standards of professional practice which appears as Annex 14.

AGENDA ITEM 11: CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION ON THE TERMS OF REFERENCE

24. The meeting considered and adopted the terms of references prepared by the SEASPF secretariat consisting of:

    1. Establishment of SEASPF
    2. Organization structure and job description
    3. Schedule of hosting
    4. Enabling Instruments The full text of the terms of reference appears as Annex 15.

 

25. The schedule of hosting has been discussed at the item agenda 15.

26. The meeting has also identified the designated member of association, country focal point and country coordinator which appears as Annex 16.

AGENDA ITEM 12: DISCUSSION AND ADOPTION OF SEASPF PRIORITIES WORK PRORAMME

27. The meeting considered and endorsed the SEASPF guidelines work programme which appears as Annex 17.

AGENDA ITEM 13: CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION JAKARTA CONCORD

28. The meeting has considered and adopted the Jakarta Concord which appears as Annex 18.

OTHER MATTERS

Working Lunch

29. During the lunch the delegates has the opportunity to enrich their knowledge on various school leadership program through the presentation respectively: (1) Ken Cock, Director of Sampoerna Foundation Institute; (2) Dr. Ruben C. Umaly, Secretary General Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP). The full text of the presentation appears as Annex 19.

AGENDA ITEM 14: CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

30. The meeting has considered and adopted the Memorandum of Understanding between: (1) SEASPF and SEAMEO INNOTECH, (2) SEASPF and ASPA

CLOSING SESSION

AGENDA ITEM 15: DATE AND VENUE

31. The meeting noted the discussion on the arrangement of hosting countries and has endorsed the proposal of the Philippines to convened RTM Educational Leaders and Conference of the SEASPF on a back to back basis.

32. The meeting also noted the concern of Singapore as the host of RTM IV for ASEAN Educational Leaders in 2009 to convened with the Conference of SEASPF on back to back basis

33. Taking into consideration the concern of Singapore the schedule of hosting for RTM ASEAN Educational Leaders and conference SEASPF as follows :

    • RTM III will be held in Manila, 2008
    • RTM IV will be held in Singapore, 2009
    • 2nd SEASPF conference in Penang, Malaysia, 2009
    • RTM V back to back with the 3rd SEASPF Conference in Thailand, 2010

AGENDA ITEM 16: CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE SEASPF

34. The meeting considered and adopted the report of the First Conference of The SEASPF

AGENDA ITEM 17: SIGNING MOU

35. The Dr. Sugiarto has signed the Memorandum of Understanding with SEAMEO INNOTECH and ASPA witness by Surya Dharma Chairman RTM II, ASEAN Educational Leaders. The full text of the Memorandum of Understanding appears as Annex 20.

AGENDA ITEM 18: CLOSING REMARKS

36. Dr. Surya Dharma delivered his closing remarks with thanks to the delegates, eminent resources person and organizing committee for the hard work and dedication in making the First Conference of the South East Asia School Principals Forum.

37. Dr. Surya Dharma, the Chairperson of RTM in his closing remarks, expressed his sincere appreciation to all delegates for their valuable interventions and suggestions which had contributed to the success of the conference. He looked forward with anticipation to further collaboration with the South East Asia School Principals Forum (SEASPF) focused programs and activities for the betterment in South East Asia region.

38. Noor Rezan of Malaysia on behalf of the South East Asia delegations has express its sincere appreciation to the Government of Indonesia through the Ministry of National Education for the kind hospitality extended to the delegations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

39. The meeting expressed its appreciation to the Government and the people of the Republic of Indonesia for the excellent arrangements made for the meeting. The meeting also acknowledged the contribution of the eminent resources person for its valuable advice and assistance.

40. The meeting was held in the traditional spirit of South East Asia solidarity and cordiality.

RTM II

Round Table Meeting II of ASEAN Educational Leaders (RTM II) held in Denpasar, Bali, 26-28 November 2007 was attended by 8 member countries; Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand has came with numbers of strategic recommendations, those are;

    1. Recommendation of Roundtable Meeting II of ASEAN Education Leaders.
    2. Term of Reference of Roundtable Meeting of ASEAN Education Leaders.
    3. Bali Declaration on the Establishment of South East Asia School Principals Forum (SEASPF), in which the meeting call upon the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Indonesia to host the permanent secretariat of the SEA-SPF.
    4. Term of Reference on the Establishment of South East Asia School Principals Forum.