Lao Voices

Investing in the future of Lao children could be the most valuable contribution for socio-economic development, particularly for primary education in Laos.

“Laos needs to further strengthen human resource development through improvements to the education system,” the Deputy Minister of Education, Ms Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun, said during the opening ceremony of Dong village primary school in Paek district, Xieng Khuang province, last week.

Since the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 1975, the government and people of Laos have worked hard to improve the education system, especially primary education in rural areas.

Ms Sengdeuane said good schools would provide better education for children, and building schools was building the future of the country.

The Japanese AEON Company Group through Unicef and the Japan Committee for Unicef have constructed schools in Xieng Khuang and Luang Prabang provinces.

Ms Sengdeuane said she believed this generous support would strengthen relationships between Lao and Japanese people.

“Building schools will not only make the students happy, but will also allow future generations of Lao children to enjoy a better education,” Ms Sengdeuane said.

She said this support contributed to the National Action Plan for Education for All, which was one of the four priority plans of the government in eliminating poverty by 2020.

Working towards this aim, the Lao government, under the wise leadership of the prime minister, has started the process of a comprehensive education sector reform.

The real success of such reform will be judged on its ability to increase success in schools, by improving the quality and efficiency of education across the country, particularly in the rural and remote areas in Xieng Khuang and other provinces.

Ms Sengdeuane said the comprehensive package of hardware and software support for school development provided by AEON and Japan Committee for Unicef was considered to be a significant contribution for the development of education in Laos.

At present, there are more than 8,000 schools across the country and about 85 percent of children are enrolled in primary schools. However, challenges remain to improve access to education and the quality of post-primary education.

Ms Sengdeuane said the Ministry of Education was stimulating the development of education in keeping with the government’s continuing strategic vision for 2020.

“Our country is now at peace, with people of different ethnic groups living in harmony. Our people still value the depth of their heritage and unity among different groups,” she added.

An 11-year-old girl attending grade 5 at Dong primary school, Ms Sipha Dabouddy, last week said she was happy to have a brand new classroom in which to enjoy her lessons.

“It is a beautiful, clean, good school with furniture, blackboards, clean water, toilets and good learning and teaching facilities,” she said.

Ms Sipha said the old school was built with wood and had a dirt floor so it was dusty and during the winter it was very cool.

Tables and chairs were made by villagers so they were uncomfortable and not strong. The toilet was dirty due to lack of water. Children didn’t want to go to school and a lot of them were absent or dropped out of school.

Now Ms Sipha and her friends have books to read and they sit and learn in groups. The study is more participatory. Before, the teacher told them what to learn, but now they can propose their own ideas, she said.

Ms Sipha said they also had lessons in handicraft making and drawing. They were very proud when they saw their drawings hanging on the wall, she said with a little smile.

“I am very happy and would like to thank the Japanese for their kindness. We will take good care of the school. We will clean our classrooms, toilets and school yard every day. The most important thing is that now we won’t be absent because the school is comfortable, fun and a good place to learn.”

By PHAISYTHONG CHANDARA
April 6, 2008
Vientiane Times - Vientianetimes.org.la