Vientiane:The Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, Mr. Thongsalith Mangnomek, recently held a farewell meeting with the Australian Ambassador to Laos, Ms. Megan Jones. During the meeting, Mr. Thongsalith provided updates on the reform of Lao PDR's general education system, which is transitioning to a 6+3+3 model. The new curriculum is under revision, set to be implemented for Grades 1-3 in the 2027-2028 academic year and fully completed by the 2030-2031 academic year.
According to Lao News Agency, Mr. Thongsalith expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Jones for her successful diplomatic mission and the Australian Embassy's role in fostering cooperation between Australia and Laos in various sectors, notably education, science, and sports. He highlighted the progress in teacher training, enhancing Lao language skills for children in remote areas, and producing educational videos, which have all been well-received by society.
The Deputy Prime Minister also updated the Ambassador on higher education developments, mentioning the establishment of the National Teacher Training University by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES), aimed at improving teaching efficiency and increasing student applications for teaching programs. However, he noted that further teacher training is necessary to align with the new curriculum.
Mr. Thongsalith also discussed human resource development and initiatives related to women, mothers, and children, which have received support from the Australian government.
In response, Ms. Megan Jones thanked the Government of Laos and MOES for their support and cooperation, particularly under the Basic Education Quality and Access in Laos (BEQUAL) programme. She noted that education remains a priority for the Australian government, alongside scholarships. Through the BEQUAL programme, children's learning outcomes in Laos improved from 25% in 2024 to 45% in 2026, and teacher training participation tripled.
Additionally, the Australian government continues to support the upgrading of English language proficiency for government officials. Ambassador Jones also briefed Mr. Thongsalith on projects related to health, public works and transport, and women's and children's issues.