Transforming Teaching and Learning in Asia and the Pacific : Case studies from seven countries

The question of what and how students should learn has been occupying a central place in debates on education in many countries in the Asia-Pacific region (UNESCO, 2014). In response to these debates, countries in the region are increasingly introducing various policy changes and curricula reforms. Such reforms recognize that existing curricula are not suitable for the needs of learners in the twenty-first century, and seek to introduce learning that will prepare people of the region to live peacefully and sustainably in a rapidly changing world (UNESCO, 2015).

This book presents some snapshots of efforts to transform teaching and learning in schools in seven countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam. These seven countries represent the diversity of the region. They differ greatly in their historical experiences, cultural heritage, political and economic systems, geography, ecology and religious and social beliefs. These differences have significantly affected their national development and education systems. Despite the considerable differences between them, the seven countries have made similar pedagogical reform efforts. The governments of all of these countries have recognized the necessity of ushering in changes in teaching and learning practices in schools, in view of the need to improve the quality of education for all.