Unlocking the power of learning assessments: A path to stronger foundational literacy and numeracy in the Asia-Pacific

The policy brief was produced for the Asian Network of Training and Research Institutions in Educational Planning (ANTRIEP) conference in Manila in November 2024, supported by the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP).

The conference provided a platform for policymakers, researchers and education leaders to set a collaborative agenda for strengthening educational planning capacities in the Asia-Pacific region. Discussions focused on key areas such as research, training, and technical assistance to drive evidence-based policymaking.

A central pillar of the event was the engagement of the Asian Network of Training and Research Institutions in Educational Planning (ANTRIEP). Established in 1995 with IIEP support, ANTRIEP consists of 21 national research and training institutions from 13 Asia-Pacific countries. The network fosters collaboration, peer learning, and knowledge exchange to enhance education systems.

A key conference session, chaired by ACER’s Dr Adeola Monty, focused on the importance of learning assessments and establishing a roadmap for future research in the Asia-Pacific. Delegates identified critical research priorities, including digital transformation in education, monitoring policy implementation at the school level, and mapping learning systems.

Why learning assessments matter

Dr Monty’s session focused on how foundational literacy and numeracy are the building blocks of lifelong learning and success. However, achieving proficiency in these areas remains a challenge for many students across the Asia-Pacific. Learning assessments serve as powerful tools to diagnose learning gaps, inform policy decisions and guide educational reforms.

Learning assessments are methods for measuring what students know, understand and can do at a specific point in time. By leveraging learning assessments effectively, governments can develop targeted interventions to improve educational outcomes.

The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) and Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) are regional assessments that demonstrate the power of learning data in shaping education policy.

SEA-PLM 2019 was conducted in 6 ASEAN countries to assess Grade 5 students’ proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics. The 2019 results showed that one in 3 students was performing at an early primary level, with significant learning disparities based on socioeconomic backgrounds. This data supports policymakers in Southeast Asia to design interventions to improve equity and student outcomes.

Administered across 15 Pacific nations, PILNA measures the literacy and numeracy skills of students after 4 and 6 years of education. The 2021 results indicated declines in numeracy performance compared to 2018, with girls outperforming boys in both literacy and numeracy. The findings inform curriculum reform, teacher development and school improvement strategies in the Pacific.

Key policy recommendations

To drive meaningful change in foundational learning, the policy brief proposes 3 key recommendations:

1. Prioritising education system reforms: Governments should commit to using quality learning measures and indicators as part of their broader education reform efforts.
2. Building government capacity: Strengthening the ability of policymakers and educators to analyse and utilise learning assessment data will lead to more informed decision-making.
3. Using data for targeted interventions: Learning assessment data should be leveraged to identify areas needing improvement and to design contextually relevant interventions.

This policy brief underscores how learning assessments can be used to measure performance, and more importantly, improve learning. By adopting evidence-based approaches, policymakers, educators and stakeholders can work together to enhance literacy and numeracy skills for millions of students across the Asia-Pacific region.

Further reading

Read the full policy brief, Foundational literacy and numeracy: using learning assessment data in the Asia-Pacific region