SEAMEO SEPS, SEAOHUN and Chevron Expand School Well-being Models in Six Countries

Hiang Thai Thamrong Border Patrol Police School, Chiang Mai, Thailand

SEAMEO SEPS, in collaboration with SEAOHUN and funded by Chevron, is advancing the next phase of the “Promotion of Well-being in Schools in Southeast Asia” Programme through the implementation of the School Well-being Model Expansion initiative in 2026.

The programme builds on the successful implementation of Phases 1 and 2 (2024-2025), which demonstrated that strengthening school meals, hygiene practices, nutrition education, and community participation can meaningfully improve the health and daily learning experiences of primary school children across six participating countries, namely, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand.

The initiative has benefited more than 3,100 primary school students, 190 teachers, 55 non-teaching staff, and over 1,200 parents and community members through the integration of the One Health approach, the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), and sustainability concepts into school daily practices.

Ms Duriya Amatavivat, Centre Director of SEAMEO SEPS, empathised, “SEAMEO SEPS values the continued partnership with SEAOHUN and Chevron in expanding the successful school well-being models and supporting healthier futures for children and community across Southeast Asia.”

In Phase 3, eight model schools from the previous phase will mentor eight nominated sister schools through a School-to-School Mentoring Approach designed to replicate and expand successful school well-being practices. The Ministries/Department of Education of the six participating countries have officially nominated the following 8 sister schools for inclusion in Phase 3:

1. Sekolah Rendah Sungai Siamas (Bandar Seri Begawan), Brunei Darussalam

2. Kiri Sovannavong Primary School (Kampong Chhang), Cambodia

3. SD Negeri 4 Syamsudin Noor (Banjabaru), Indonesia

4. SK Marian Convent Setapak (Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia

5. SK Bantayan Tuaran (Sabah), Malaysia

6. Sto Nino Elementary School (San Mateo, Rizal), Philippines

7. Ban Huai Yauk Paso Primary School (Chiang Rai), Thailand

8. Hiang Thai Thamrong Border Patrol Police School (Chiang Mai), Thailand

The sister schools will receive training, technical guidance, and seed grants to implement five-month action plans focused on improving school meals, hygiene practices, school food environments, and community engagement by integrating the concept of One Health, Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and Sustainability into the school proposed action plans.

Dr Tongkorn Meeyam, Executive Director of SEAOHUN, highlighted, “Together with SEAMEO SEPS, SEAOHUN is proud to expand its efforts to empower more schools to champion One Health through peer-to-peer mentorship, driving healthier schools and more sustainable communities across Southeast Asia.”

Through this continued partnership, SEAMEO SEPS, SEAOHUN, and Chevron reaffirm their shared commitment to promoting sustainable school well-being and empowering schools across Southeast Asia to become healthier, safer, and more supportive environments for children and their communities.