World Bank vice president for East Asia and Pacific Victoria Kwakwa was more than correct when underlining the importance of ASEAN in investing in people as key to better development (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 10). She wrote that while ASEAN “as a whole has been a standout success story”, “[y]et on average, education, skill development and health indicators are below what is expected given ASEAN’s income levels. There are also wide disparities in life expectancy, job productivity and education quality across the region”. This high enthusiasm in investing in people was also palpable among members countries of the Southeast Asian Minister of Education Organizations (SEAMEO), which recently gathered in Kuala Lumpur to discuss strategic plans for years ahead. The conference saw a handover of the SEAMEO presidency from Indonesian education minister Muhadjir E...

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