ພາສາລາວ
Over 100 participants, including government representatives, teachers, and students, united in promoting safe and inclusive education
The Ministry of Education and Sports’’ Child Protection and Safeguarding Guidance for Educators, developed with the support of Australia, are vital for ensuring safe and inclusive schools
On May 28th, the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR (MoES) marked Children’s Day with a ceremony dedicated to promoting child protection in education. The event took place at the Research Institute for Educational Sciences (RIES) with support from Australia through the Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR (BEQUAL) program. The event was opened by Mr. Souphap Khounvixay, Deputy Head of Permanent Secretary Office of MOES, with over 100 participants including representatives from MoES departments, the National Commission for the Advancement of Women, Mothers and Children, as well as teachers and students from primary and secondary schools. Organised by the Division for the Advancement of Women (MDAW) under the supervision of the Cabinet, the theme of the event was “Empowering Every Child: Equal Rights, Safe Futures.”
The ceremony began with a broadcast of a message from the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR. In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted the recent legislative development marking a significant step for child rights in Laos: the complete ban on corporal punishment, adopted on April 30, 2024. This legal amendment to the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Children positions Laos as the 66th country in the world and the first in ASEAN to fully prohibit corporal punishment in all settings, including homes and schools. The message reaffirmed the country’s commitment to creating a safe, supportive and rights-based environment for every child.
Mr. Souphap Khounvixay, Deputy Head of the Permanent Secretary Office of MoES, delivers a compelling speech on the importance of child protection
Engineering lab staff showcase intricate paper-cut creations, engaging primary students with the creative side of design and technology
MDAW reinforced the messages contained in the Child Protection and Safeguarding Guidance for Educators, which was developed by MoES in 2024 with support from the Government of Australia. The guidelines, already disseminated nationwide, remain a key tool in helping educators across the country ensure student safety and well-being.
Mr. Souphap Khounvixay, Deputy Head of Permanent Secretary Office of MOES underlined the critical role teachers play in creating safe learning environments. “We developed these guidelines in 2024 with the support of Australia. They were launched in July and disseminated across the country. Child protection and safeguarding is a shared priority of the Government of Lao PDR and the Government of Australia,” he said.
“Teachers play a vital role in child protection by being proactive, supportive, and knowledgeable. Their actions can make a significant difference in creating safe spaces for students to learn and thrive. This guidance supports teachers to understand their responsibilities and gives them access to important information on referral services and reporting mechanisms. When students feel safe, they will do well at school.”
At the event a team of five master trainers from MDAW’s Gender Training Team facilitated interactive awareness raising sessions for participating teachers and students. The sessions focused on practical aspects of child protection within the school context, such as respectful communication with children, responsible use of electronic media, and positive behaviour management. Participants also explored appropriate and inappropriate behaviours concerning child protection, including issues related to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment, as well as inclusion, filming and photographing children, and the use of alcohol and drugs. The training was highly inclusive and participatory, incorporating games, role-plays and discussions to foster active engagement.
Students learn how 3D printing technology transforms recycled plastic into useful objects, demonstrating innovation and sustainability in action
Students explore hands-on science experiments during their visit to the Faculty of Engineering, sparking interest in STEM education
In the afternoon, students visited the Faculty of Engineering, where the students will be inspired to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematic (STEM) for both girls and boys. This is particularly important for girls as females are underrepresented in STEM workforce worldwide.
At the close of the event Mr. Souphap, delivered a strong call to action for all teachers to prioritise child protection and actively advocate for student safety “Child protection is everyone’s responsibility. We hope this safeguarding guidance will continue to be used widely by teachers and all those working with children to create safe and inclusive school environments. We will continue to work closely with MoES departments and the Australia-supported BEQUAL program to ensure these principles are fully implemented across the education system.”
