Started in 2016, the SEA Teacher Programme is an international exchange initiative that allows
pre-service teachers from Southeast Asia to gain hands-on practicum experience in another SEAMEO
Member Country (namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam), SEAMEO Associate Member Country, or a SEAMEO
Affiliate Member. It is grounded in three core principles: first, that quality education depends on the quality
of its teachers; second, that practicum is the most vital element of teacher training, allowing pre-service
teachers to bridge theory and practice; and third, that global citizenship in teaching is best cultivated
through immersive cross-cultural experiences.
The SEA Teacher Programme aims to achieve the following objectives:
a. For pre-service teachers: To immerse future educators in diverse cultures and educational
systems, enabling them to develop adaptable teaching methodologies and a broader,
systems-oriented perspective.
b. For higher education and teacher education institutions: To foster proactive collaboration and
strengthen internationalization efforts through meaningful academic exchange.
c. For countries and education systems: To contribute to regional development by promoting
mutual understanding and cooperation in education.
