Education in Lao People's Democratic Republic

A fifth grade student reads aloud in front of the class while teacher Khammanh Ladavone looks on. Somsanouk Primary School, Pak Ou District, Lao PDR. Credit: GPE/Kelley Lynch

Partner since:

Total grant support: US$70,654,162

Grant eligibility:

  • Multiplier
  • Girls' Education Accelerator
  • System capacity
  • System transformation

Partnership compact

Priority: Improve foundational learning outcomes for all children, including the most disadvantaged children, while specifically addressing the needs of female students in lower secondary education.

Other key documents

Coordinating agency: Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), UNICEF

GPE Team lead: Plamen Danchev

Transforming education in Lao PDR

Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) has increased participation in pre-primary education and student assessment results in later years have been on the rise. However, most children continue to demonstrate low literacy and numeracy skills, and there are significant disparities linked to socioeconomic status and ethnicity.

Without basic skills, it is difficult for students to progress through the education system, which results in high dropout. Lao PDR’s Partnership Compact describes how the government is working with GPE and other partners to improve foundational learning outcomes for all and support students in lower secondary.

The reform will expand ongoing interventions with proven effectiveness to improve the school readiness of children ages 3 to 5 belonging to communities that do not speak the primary Lao language and from poor or disadvantaged households.

Interventions support parenting skills, improve children’s reading readiness, increase the availability of teaching and learning materials, and train teachers. To sustain gains in pre-literacy and pre-numeracy, Lao PDR will increase the number of primary teachers with skills to implement the curriculum and multi-grade teaching and use assessment tools and inclusive education approaches.

Efforts to improve transition to and retention in lower secondary include supporting girls’ education and improving access to remedial education. Better teacher workforce planning and management is expected to enhance system capacity to deliver quality education.

Result story

Lao PDR: Helping the youngest children to read and continue learning

  • Low levels of early grade reading are affecting children throughout Lao PDR.
  • With GPE support, the government of Lao PDR is helping its youngest and most vulnerable students to improve their reading skills.
  • Through a reading readiness program and school block grants, more children are now adequately prepared for grade 1.

Key data

17%

out-of-school rate for children of lower-secondary school age

64%

of children start learning one year before entering primary school

90%

of primary teachers have the minimum required qualifications

10%

of government expenditure on education

Grants

(data as of December 13, 2024)

 
  • Type: Program development

    Years: 2024 - 2025

    Allocation: US$200,000

    Utilization: 0

    Grant agent: Save the Children Australia

  • Type: Program implementation and Multiplier

    Years: 2021 - 2027

    Allocation: US$17,500,000

    Utilization: US$13,210,774

    Grant agent: WB

Latest blogs and news