Aide et Action Laos is launching a new 5-year project aimed at overcoming some of the remaining educational challenges in the country. The project focuses on creating inclusive, child-friendly school environments and improving basic literacy and numeracy learning outcomes for pre-primary and primary students in 30 schools in Vientiane and Oudomxay provinces. It’s estimated to benefit 7,000 people. On 25 April 2019, this project officially kicked off with the signing of the MoU between Aide et Action Laos and the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) enabling this project.
Educational Challenges
Over the last decade, the education sector in Laos has made considerable progress – there are more and more schools, and the quality of education is ever-improving. Nonetheless, there are still many challenges that need to be overcome such as the low literacy and numeracy skills of primary school children, particularly in the more remote rural areas. Of particular concern are the areas where children of ethnic background do not speak Lao as their first language. Teaching techniques and learning materials do need to be further improved and school administration systems strengthened. School environments still need improvement, in particular with regards to access to clean water and proper sanitation, to make schools safe and friendly spaces for children to learn. Extra-curricular activities need to be developed to enhance children’s practical knowledge, skills and experiences.
A new Aide et Action Project
Aide et Action Laos, which has been contributing to the development of the education sector in Laos for more than 10 years, focuses on improving learning outcomes for children in pre-primary and primary education. Continuing its mission, and in close collaboration with local communities and authorities, Aide et Action Laos has created a new project “Inclusive, Child-friendly Environments and the Improvement of the Quality of Learning Outcomes of Pre- and Primary Schools in Vientiane and Oudomxay provinces” as a way to help children improve their literacy and numeracy skills.
This new project aims to enhance school governance, school readiness and basic Lao literacy and numeracy learning outcomes in early childhood education and primary schools. It has been developed from Aide et Action project pilots in Vientiane province, and is aligned with the 8th Education Sector Development Plan of the Lao PDR (2016-2020) and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) “to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. It will support 30 schools in 7 districts of Vientiane and Oudomxay provinces.
Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding enabling this project took place on 25 April 2019 at the Ministry of Education and Sports. The signing parties were Prof. Dr. Sisamon SITHIRARDVONGSA, Director General of the External Relations Department, MOES, and Ms. Vithanya NOONAN, Country Director, Aide et Action Laos. Witnesses to the signing were the Provincial Education and Sports Services of Vientiane and Oudomxay, representatives of line Departments of MOES, and the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Key Project Info
“Inclusive, Child-friendly Environments and the Improvement of the Quality of Learning Outcomes of Pre- and Primary Schools in Vientiane and Oudomxay provinces.”
Duration: 5 Years (April 2019 – March 2024)
Budget: 1 Million USD
Target Schools: 30 schools in Vientiane and Oudomxay Provinces
Beneficiaries: 7,000 students, teachers, VEDC, parents, other stakeholders
Implementing Partners:
- Aide et Action Laos
- Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES)
- Vientiane and Oudomxay Education and Sports Services
- District Education and Sports Services
- Village Education Development Committees of the target schools
- Other relevant departments at each level
