COL developed its Strategic Plan 2021–2027 after holding wide consultations with the Board of Governors, Focal Points, partners and members of the public to identify the priorities that it needs to address. The common concerns that emerged across the regions were mitigating the impact of COVID-19; promoting quality education; integrating Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) into teaching and learning.

COL-CEMCA’s activities in the education sector support formal and non-formal education from secondary school to tertiary levels across Asian Commonwealth countries. In 2023-24, COL-CEMCA prioritised adapting policies and practices to leverage Open Distance Learning (ODL), online learning, and Open Educational Resources (OER) in higher education. They worked with institutions to train leaders and educators, develop gender-responsive policies, and create OER.

COL-CEMCA achieved significant milestones in education and skills development from July to November 2022, including releasing a blended learning policy guide, conducting capacity-building workshops, promoting OER adoption, introducing virtual reality platforms, launching a MOOC on Essential Life Skills, and conducting a blockchain course, benefiting over 4200 learners and educators across 40 countries.

COL-CEMCA worked in two sectors: Education and Skills, with cross-cutting initiatives on Gender Equality and Technology-enabled Learning (TEL). CEMCA, COL’s regional office in India, promoted open and distance learning (ODL) and skill development in Commonwealth Asia. CEMCA’s education sector focused on Open Schooling, Teacher Education, Higher Education, and Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC), while the Skills for Work sector focused on skills development, lifelong learning, and empowering marginalised groups.

As of November 2020, CEMCA achieved significant progress towards its corporate outcomes, including reaching 47,481 learners, strengthening 30 institutions, and supporting 2,130 individuals in achieving sustainable livelihood, although still working towards its ambitious targets of 136,600 learners, 90 institutions, and 30,000 individuals with sustainable livelihood.

This achievement report is in addition to the
2018-19 annual report. It provide highlights of
CEMCAs work in the last six months (July 2019
till December 19). The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include SDG 4, aiming for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Aligning with this, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) focuses on “learning for sustainable development”, emphasising quality lifelong learning.