School leaders meet in Bali to focus on future-ready education
Five new regional communities launched to support teachers in the Southeast Asia and Pacific region
BALI, Indonesia, December 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The International Education Group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge), brought together more than 340 school leaders and teachers from around the world at an international conference in Bali, Indonesia, aimed at preparing students to thrive in a rapidly changing future.
The Cambridge Schools Conference (CSC) welcomed delegates from over 200 Cambridge International Schools in 37 countries. Bali, home to 19 Cambridge schools, served as the setting for the face-to-face CSC. The conference theme is taken from the new Cambridge report. Future Ready: Preparing Learners to Thrive in the Futureand explored how schools working with Cambridge can equip young people with the resilience, adaptability and skills required in an era of global transformation.
During the three-day conference, educators examined innovative approaches to teaching and leadership and shared best practices. Dr Ben Schmidt of Cambridge University Press & Assessment said:
“This conference was extremely valuable as it gave us the opportunity to hear directly from school leaders and teachers, learn from their experiences and exchange ideas on the latest approaches to teaching and learning to prepare our students for the future.”
New regional communities launched to support teachers
The conference marked the launch of five new Cambridge communities designed to support educators and leaders in the South East Asia and Pacific (SEAP) region. This comes at a critical time for global education. According to UNESCO, the global teacher shortage is expected to reach 44 million by 2030.[1]. In Indonesia alone, recent figures suggest a shortfall of around 1.3 million teachers, some of whom currently practice without formal certification.[2]. The communities are:
- Cambridge Sustainability and Climate Action Community
Led by Jennifer Angeles of the SIS Group of Schools in Jakarta, this community will explore how schools can integrate sustainability and climate awareness into learning and daily practice. Open to educators via Facebook, the group will support schools seeking to reduce their environmental impact, engage students in climate action and foster a culture of responsibility for the future of the planet.
Jennifer said: “Because the world is changing, and we have to too. Climate action is not just an issue: it is here and now, and it affects real lives and communities. This community is a space where teachers, educators, and education leaders can share ideas, collaborate, and together make a truly life-changing impact.
- Cambridge Innovation and Entrepreneurship Community
Led by Manmeet Kaur, Humanities Teacher at HELP International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this community will focus on encouraging innovation and entrepreneurial thinking in the classroom. Discussions will focus on how to inspire problem solving, encourage student-led initiatives, and build the confidence to turn ideas into actions. This community is available to join via LinkedIn.
Maneet said, “The careers we have today may not exist in the next five to 10 years. This is why we need to equip learners not only with technical knowledge, but also with future-oriented skills and an entrepreneurial mindset that helps them adapt, learn from failure and thrive in change.
- Cambridge Adaptability and Wellbeing Community
Dr. Poonam Shokeen, Academic Director of SBS International School Chiang Mai, Thailand, will lead a Facebook community focused on practical strategies to help students develop adaptability and resilience. The group will also share approaches to strengthening well-being systems for learners and educators.
Poonam said: “Through this community, educators will discover ideas to support the well-being of their community. It is very important that we learn from each other, take care of ourselves as educators, and develop strategies to fill our own cup of well-being so that we can support others, like our students. »
- Cambridge’s Future-Oriented Learning Community
Led by Matthew Gallagher of the Nobel International School in Selangor, Malaysia, where he teaches at Cambridge Global Perspectives & Research, this Facebook community will connect educators by exploring how future-focused learning is embedded across subjects and year groups. Conversations will highlight interdisciplinary approaches that nurture critical thinking, collaboration, communication and ethical reasoning.
Matthew said: “I welcome teachers from across South East Asia Pacific who want to improve their skills and ensure their children are prepared for the future. You will be able to learn from other teachers and myself about how to best help your children get ahead.
- Cambridge AI and Digital Skills Community
Led by Liam Egan, Head of EAL/EIP at UCSI International School Kuala Lumpur, this Facebook community will focus on thoughtful and responsible approaches to artificial intelligence in education. The focus is not on the tools themselves, but on classroom practice, policies, assessment and professional judgment. For leaders, it offers insight into how schools are using AI thoughtfully; for teachers, it provides insight, comfort, and a sense that they are not navigating this change alone. »
Liam said: “AI is already shaping the way students read, write, think and access information, but many schools are still figuring out how to respond in a practical and responsible way. This community allows educators to slow down, ask better questions, and focus on how AI can support learning without compromising core skills like literacy, critical thinking, and human connection.
Speaking of why communities are created now, Kanjna Paranthaman, Regional Director, South East Asia and Pacific, for International Education at Cambridge, said: “Cambridge is a community of more than 10,000 schools in 160 countries. Within our SEAP region, one of the things we’ve seen is that there is a strong desire from educators to connect.
References:
1. Global Teacher Report: Addressing teacher shortages and transforming the profession,
UNESCO, 2024.
2. Addressing the teacher shortage in Indonesia: strategies and collaborations for quality education
Tanoto Foundation. October 2023
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SOURCE Cambridge University Press and Review
