Changing societal mindset so that parents truly believe that every school is a good school was among the concerns raised on Wednesday morning at a conference for educators, running alongside the inaugural AsiaEducationExpo.

The three-day education exhibition organised by Sphere Exhibits - the events, roadshows and exhibitions arm of Singapore Press Holdings - runs until Friday at Singapore Expo Hall 2. The exhibition showcases the latest education technologies and methodologies for educators and policymakers from the region.

The comments on perception of schools were made by teachers attending a panel discussion with adjunct professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, professor S. Gopinathan, and principal officer at the National Institute of Education. associate professor Quek Jin Jong, The session moderated by managing editor of The Straits Times, Han Fook Kwang, followed on from a keynote lecture by Prof Gopinathan tracing the changes in Singapore's education landscape and the challenges today.

Earlier in the day, some 200 guests and educators attended the opening ceremony of the AsiaEducationExpo, where Speaker of Parliament Madam Halimah Yacob was the guest-of-honour.

Madam Halimah and Sphere Exhibits chairman Chua Wee Phong represented the organisers in presenting cheques to three groups which help local communities and schools: the National Institute of Education Service Learning Club, the Singapore Disability Council and Viva Social Enterprise Group.

Two other events will be held alongside the AsiaEducationExpo. On Thursday, in partnership with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Language Centre, a conference for delegates from more than 10 countries will be held, while on Friday, The Straits Times Schools team will hold a forum for teachers.