Background Safe and healthy schools provide huge opportunities for children to learn and achieve their dreams of a better future. In this context, school heads play a strategic role in leading schools that are disaster resilient and that provide access to water and sanitation.Against this background, SEAMEO INNOTECH developed, pilot-tested, and evaluated two flexible learning courses: LEADeXCELS (Excellence in Leading Education in Emergency Situations for Southeast Asian School Heads) and HEALTHeXCELS (Health Management Excellence For School Heads in Southeast Asia).

Objectives LEADeXCELS aims to build the capacity of school heads and leaders in making their schools safe, disaster resilient, and capable of continuing education in emergency situations. On the other hand, HEALTHeXCELS, which is conducted in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), is designed to support school heads and leaders in making their schools health-promoting places.

Methods The two online courses are based on the Competency Framework for Southeast Asian School Heads, which was developed by education experts and practitioners from Southeast Asia. The courses were delivered through the use of self-instructional learning modules; weekly 3-hour chat sessions; submission of course requirements; and validation of the learners' submissions. 56 school heads and leaders from 9 SEAMEO-member countries participated in the courses.

Result An evaluation using appreciative inquiry was conducted and yielded the following results: The best aspects of the courses were the learning modules' content and how to's, the opportunity for application of concepts, and the chat sessions. The learners wished that the courses' medium of communication were their mother tongue but they certainly understood that in the multicultural classes, English was the commonly spoken second language.

Conclusion In conclusion, the LEADeXCELS and HEALTHeXCELS flexible learning courses achieved their respective goals of building the capacity of school heads on health program management and school safety and disaster resiliency despite language-related limitations.