Ministry of Education and Sports and Australia celebrate their long-standing partnership in advancing primary education at the 10th Anniversary of the BEQUAL Program

Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR (MoES) and Australia celebrate the 10th years implementation of Basic Education Quality Access Laos (BEQUAL Program). This transformative partnership has strengthened the education system and improved access to quality primary education for children across Lao PDR, particularly those who live in remoted areas and face difficulties.

The high-level event was hosted in Vientiane, chaired by H.E. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phout Simmalavong, Minister of Education and H.E. Megan Jones, Ambassador of Australia to Lao PDR and Sports. The event brought together senior representatives from various MoES departments, Provincial Education and Sports Services, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Planning and investment, Teacher Training Colleges, the Ministry of Foreign affairs, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and key development partners in education, science and sports.

Ambassador Megan Jones opened the event by highlighting the deep roots of the partnership: “This significant milestone is part of a much longer journey—nearly 30 years of Australia’s support for education in Lao PDR. It shows Australia’s belief in the power of education to change lives and our close partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports to make education more accessible, more inclusive, and of higher quality for all girls and boys.”

Minister Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phout Simmalavong underlined the importance of this collaboration: “This partnership with Australia has played a vital role in transforming primary education in our country. Education is the foundation of a strong society – Australia has been an important partner in supporting the education, science and sports sectors to build a more inclusive and effective education system—one where all children, regardless of their background, gender or where they live, can access quality education and build a better future for themselves and their communities.”

Launched in 2015, the Australian Government’s BEQUAL program aims to improve access to, and the quality of, education, particularly for children in rural and disadvantaged areas. One of the most significant accomplishments over the past 10 years is the comprehensive revision of the national primary curriculum, led by MoES. The new curriculum introduces a modern, child-centred approach to teaching and learning.

With support from BEQUAL, students are now encouraged to learn by doing, to collaborate with their classmates, and to apply new knowledge in their daily lives. Teachers are adopting learning methods that create more interactive and dynamic classrooms.

Overall, these teaching and learning reforms are tailored to meet the needs of Lao culture and society, with a more inclusive, engaging, and better quality primary education system that prepares students for the future.

Ambassador Megan Jones highlighted these collaborative reforms as a symbol of the enduring relationship between the two countries: “The revision of the national curriculum reflects the deep trust of the Government of Lao PDR in Australia as a long-term friend. Our achievements through BEQUAL are a testament to the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to enabling Lao’s long-term human and economic development.”

Minister Phout Simmalavong highlighted the impact of this partnership: “The support and professional development provided to teachers through BEQUAL has made a real difference. We have seen educators empowered to provide quality education in the classroom, and it is the students and their families who benefit from this commitment.”

Over the past ten years, BEQUAL has supported the Lao Government to make significant strides in inclusive access and learning. Initiatives like the Spoken Lao Program for non-Lao speaking children demonstrated that dedicated resources and high-quality training makes a real difference to the school experience of ethnic minority girls and boys. As a key partnership milestone, the Spoken Lao approach became national policy in 2024.

Looking ahead, Minister of Education and Sports highlighted the challenges facing the education, science and sports sector: “As we look to the future, we recognise the education landscape is constantly evolving, and we face new challenges. Teacher shortages are a pressing concern, making continuing professional development more important than ever. Increasing school enrollment rates and reducing the school dropouts are necessary. Australia and development partners’ continued support is essential in helping us provide a high-quality education and accessed by all children.”

In response, Ambassador Megan Jones reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting Lao PDR in addressing these priorities: “Teacher shortages and student retention are pressing issues. Together, by continuing to invest in teacher development and education quality, we can help create a more resilient and responsive education system for the future.”

The partnership between Australia and the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR has already achieved significant milestones, but the journey continues. The commitment to strengthening the education system remains strong, ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. The 10th anniversary of BEQUAL marks both a celebration of past achievements and a reaffirmation of a shared commitment to a prosperous future built on quality education in Lao PDR.