SEA-PLM 2024 Fact Sheet

Long title
Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM)
Frequency of data collection
Every 5 years
Previous cycles
2019
Schedule

  • 2021-2022 (Augst-December): framework development 
  • 2021-2022 (August-December: instrument development
  • 2023 (April-May): field trial - data collection batch 1 countries
  • 2023 (August-November): field trial - data collection batch 2 countries
  • 2024 (April-May): main survey - data collection batch 1 countries
  • 2024 (August-November): main survey - data collection batch 2 countries
  • November 2025: release of international report
  • November 2025: release of international database
Objectives
  • Generate reliable data and evidence for monitoring learning outcomes across and within countries.
  • Understand what factors facilitate or hinder effective learning of children along their school journey.
  • Promote cross-border exchange on learning and education policies.
  • Build the capacity of participating countries to design and conduct solid learning assessments.
  • Strengthen national education stakeholders’ capacity to analyze, interpret, and use learning outcomes data.
  • Help countries to identify, prioritize, and address educational challenges in key policy areas, such as curriculum development, resource allocation, pedagogical practice, and planning at national and sub-national levels.
  • Contribute to countries’ efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4; in particular, track progress on foundational learning (SDG 4.1.1) and knowledge and skills related to global citizenship (SDG 4.7).
Assessment domain(s)
  • Reading literacy
  • Writing literacy
  • Mathematical literacy

Note: For this new round, the global citizenship domain originally embedded in SEA-PLM 2019 as a standalone domain is now included in SEA-PLM 2024 as a broader, inclusive, and organic dimension: essential skills.

Study framework (summary)
Assessment or survey framework

​​​Reading literacy

  • Content
  • Process  
  • Context

Writing literacy

  • Content
  • Context
  • Process

Mathematical literacy

  • Context
  • Process
  • Content

 

Contextual framework

Student questionnaire

  • Student characteristics
  • Home background
  • Students’ school
  • Students’ perceptions of key learning domains and other skills

  

Parent questionnaire

  • The respondent of the questionnaire
  • Characteristics of the household
  • Family support for the child during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Characteristics of the child

     

School questionnaire

  • Characteristics of the school principal
  • School characteristics
  • School facilities and resources
  • School teaching practices and policies in key learning domains and other skills
  • School community context

     

Teacher questionnaire

  • Teacher characteristics
  • School climate
  • Teaching of students

 

System questionnaire

  • Background information about the country’s education system
  • Curriculum structure and implementation of literacy and numeracy programs 
  • Policies on teaching and learning that support foundational learning early childhood education (ECE) structure and transition
  • Mother tongue multilingual and foreign language policy in basic education
  • Organization and structure, management and leadership in basic education schools
  • Preventing, addressing, and mitigating violence and discrimination/promote equality and happiness (gender and minority)
  • Financing/expenditure in basic education
  • Response to the Covid-19 pandemic (system resilience)
  • Post-Covid monitoring of student outcomes
  • Teachers and teacher education
  • Parent and community engagement
  • Assessment, monitoring, and reporting
  • Education sector planning, financing and resourcing
Participating entities

Number

7 countries

 

List

Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Viet Nam, Timor Leste

Target population and sample (summary)

Target population
All students enrolled in the grade that represents five years of schooling, counting from the first year of ISCED Level 1, referred to in SEA-PLM as
Grade 5.

 

Sample
The minimum sample size is 150 schools and 4,000 students per country.
 

Data collection techniques and instruments (summary)

Student achievement tests

  • Paper-and-pencil assessments of students’ mathematical, writing, and reading literacy
  • 18 rotated booklets per language version

 

Background questionnaires

  • Includes the following paper-and-pencil instruments
    • Student questionnaire
    • Parent questionnaire
    • Teacher questionnaire
    • School questionnaire
  • Additionally includes:
    • Online System questionnaire
Initiator
Study director(s)
Study website(s)
Contact

Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Secretariat (SEAMEO)

Mom Luang Pin Malakul Centenary Bldg

920 Sukhumvit Road

Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Email: seaplm (at) seameo.org

Phone: +66 (0) 2391-0144

Fax: +66 (0) 2381-2587