Austrade regional market update on impact of COVID

Austrade will provide weekly regional updates on the progression and impact of COVID-19 around the world, to support the international education sector as the situation continues to evolve. These reports are compiled using the latest on-the-ground information and advice. The following updates include markets and regions for:

• ASEAN
• Europe
• Middle East and Africa
• North Asia
• North America
• South Asia

ASEAN

Indonesia

• Telkomsel, a subsidiary of Telkom group (state owned telco), has launched an internet e-learning package to support students during COVID-19. The new package will provide 10 GB internet data for only IDR 10 (less than one cent), and can be used to access 10 edtech companies (Quipper, Zenius, Udemy, Cakap, Bahaso, Sekolah.mu, Ganeca Digital, Kipin School 4.0, Ayoblajar, and Aminin) and e-learning platforms from 245 universities and schools across Indonesia. The package is available from July 24 until September 30, 2020.

Malaysia

• National Digital Infrastructure Laboratory (IDN Lab) commenced on July 13 with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as its facilitator. MCMC further advised that IDN Lab, the nation's aspirations concerning broadband coverage and services particularly in the rural area and the digital infrastructure roadmap would be finalised by mid-August. Rural coverage in particular has been a key concern of the Ministry of Education considering majority 23 per cent (1.3 million students) across Malaysia do not have internet access. Indeed, the reopening of schools during the recovery movement control order (RMCO) period (until Aug 31) reflects the government's concern over students in the rural areas who have limited broadband service and thus ability to learn online.
• Following a spike in COVID-19 cases in East Malaysia, the reopening of primary and secondary schools has been postponed by a further two weeks to mid-August in certain districts in Sarawak. There has also been a slow uptick in cases in the peninsula. The Malaysian government has warned of a renewed lockdown if numbers continues to increase.
• During the recent National Education Summit (28 July), the Malaysian Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education, along with the respective Sabah and Sarawak education departments, reiterated the government's priorities:
• Improve English proficiency in teachers across Malaysia
• Ease regulations; recognise the private education sector as a key contributor to Malaysia's economy and larger education goals (as outlined in the 'Way Forward For Private Higher Education Institutions: Education As An Industry (2020-2025)'
• Ensure graduates in Malaysia are industry relevant, industry 4.0 including digital literacy and 21st century skills across education levels
• After receiving feedback from students, parents, and relevant stakeholders, the Higher Education Minister announced up to 15 per cent discount for hostel accommodation, administrative and activity fees for students in their second semester of their 2019/2020 academic session, in public higher learning institutions. The discount involves a total allocation of RM72mil (~AUD 23.6 million). While this will benefit some 525,000 students in public universities nationwide, private higher education institutions will not look to follow suit.

Myanmar

• The Ministry of Health and Sports (MoHS) amended its instructions regarding the ban on mass gatherings yesterday, which will restrict gatherings to less than 15 people.
• The MoHS also mentioned that due to the continuing need to control the spread of COVID-19 in the country, restrictions will be extended until 15 August, including mandatory wearing of masks and daily curfew.
• The notice issued from the Department of Civil Aviation and National Central Committee for Prevention, Control, and Treatment also stated that the international commercial flights remain suspended until 31 August.
• Although high schools were instructed to reopen on 21 July, only 3772 high schools which received rank A regarding COVID-19 preventive measures were able to reopen on that day. The Ministry of Education announced on 21 July that there were 1220 high schools with rank B and 838 high schools with rank C across the country.
• Austrade Myanmar will host a Myanmar Agent/Institution webinar on 7 August. The webinar aims to: update the agents and institutions in-country of the current global education market, Myanmar's position in the market, and visa and immigration issues. Register.

Philippines

• With the Philippine School Year 2020-21 starting 24 August, the Department of Education (DepEd) has been conducting online learning activities for teachers and parents. A learning activity tailored for parents is streamed live every week to work with parents on protecting their children's health, safety and well-being. DepEd partnered with Save the Children to prepare the modules, while Globe Telecom has been providing resource speakers. DepEd has also made available psychology support modules and training for schoolteachers, school administrators and non-teaching personnel. With the switch to distance learning, two of the key elements most in need in the Philippines are simplified training content for parents and updated methodology for teachers.
• In a recent DepEd survey, 8.8 million parents indicated that they prefer education through printed or digital modules instead of online and other distance learning modalities (3 million opted for online learning). Almost 4 million chose a blended approach, 1.4 million chose education via television and less than a million preferred radio-based instruction. Half of the households reported that they do not have access to internet (6.3 million). Each region and school has used this data to design its learning continuity plan and mode of teaching delivery. This presents opportunities for Australia to share best practice in distance learning to the national body (DepEd), the region, or directly to schools.
• With the disruption of COVID-19, companies have had to reimagine their mode of operations, transition staff away from redundant functions and reskill their workforce. This has led to an increase in demand for professional development training and micro-courses.
• As of 31 July 2020, the Philippines has 85,386 positive cases of COVID-19.

Singapore

• Nil

Thailand

• According to the Global COVID-19 Index (GCI) report, published on 28 July, Thailand ranks first amongst countries with the highest COVID-19 recovery index. The report states that Thailand has made the most progress in curtailing the spread of the pandemic. The next ranked countries after Thailand are South Korea, Latvia, Malaysia and Taiwan respectively.
• The Thai government has cancelled the annual OCSC International Education Expo scheduled in November due to the pandemic and travel restrictions. The Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) Expo is the largest study abroad event held in Thailand each year. Instead, OCSC plans to organise virtual interview program sessions, inviting university representatives from major study destinations including Australia to provide course counselling for prospective Thai government scholarship students.
• Austrade Bangkok will host a "Student Visa Update" webinar for education agents in Thailand and Laos on Thursday 13 August. The webinar will provide the latest updates international student updates and respond to enquiries about student visa changes announced by the Australian Government recently.