ພາສາລາວ
Key stakeholders from central and subnational level of MoES and devlopment partners joined the TSA launch
The Teacher Self-Assessment tool for primary teachers will help teachers reflect on their performance, identify professional learning needs and improve classroom teaching
The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), with support from Australia through the BEQUAL program, will officially launch the Teacher Self-Assessment (TSA) tool on 4 August 2026 in a meeting chaired by Dr. Lamphoune Laungxay, Director General of Department of Teacher and Educational Administration Development (DTEAD) and Ms. Kate Goodfruit, Second Secretary, Australian Embassy. The launch marks an important milestone in sustained efforts to strengthen teacher professional development and improve the quality of primary education across Lao PDR. The launch event will bring together key stakeholders from the central and subnational level, including DTEAD, Department of General Education, Department of Organisation and Personnel, Department of Education Quality Assurance (DEQA), Department of Finance and Planning, eight target Provincial Education and Sports Services, all eight Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) and development partners.
Dr. Lamphoune said “The Teacher Self-Assessment tool is an important step forward in supporting our teachers to reflect on their practice, strengthen their skills and better respond to the needs of students. By linking the TSA with the Primary Teaching Standards, we are building a stronger system that supports teaching quality and contributes to better learning outcomes for all children. I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Australia for its long-standing partnership and continued technical and financial support through BEQUAL, which has played an important role in helping MoES develop this tool.”
The TSA tool was first developed in 2023 alongside the Primary Teaching Standards by DTEAD, with support from Australia through BEQUAL, in cooperation with other departments and several TTCs. It was piloted in three districts with 30 teachers, and following the first pilot, revisions were made to improve the tool. It was then scaled up during the 2025–2026 school year to all Internal Pedagogical Support staff in 1124 schools, providing valuable feedback from the field. Based on this second pilot, DTEAD and BEQUAL carried out a further round of revisions to ensure the tool is practical, relevant and ready for wider use.
Ms. Kate Goodfruit said “This launch reflects the strong collaboration between MoES and Australia through BEQUAL, as well as across departments and Teacher Training Colleges. Together, we share a commitment to strengthening the foundations of basic education. By helping teachers identify their learning needs and improve their practice, the TSA will support more effective teaching in the classroom. In turn, better teaching leads to stronger student engagement, deeper learning and improved learning outcomes, helping young people develop the skills and confidence they need for the future.”
Ms. Kate Goodfruit, Australian Embassy and Dr. Lamphoune Laungxay, Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR
The tool will help teachers reflect on their challenges and learning needs to improve teaching
The launch of the TSA tool is an important step in strengthening the teacher development system in Lao PDR. It will help ensure that teacher learning is targeted, practical and connected to classroom realities, while also supporting the broader national goal of improving the quality of education for all students. The launch meeting presentations and discussions will aim to build a shared understanding of the TSA, identify the conditions needed for effective implementation, clarify roles and responsibilities across MoES departments, and map pathways for integrating the tool into existing systems such as teacher Continuing Professional Development, appraisals, academic title awards and the Fundamental Quality Standards (FQS) quality assurance system.
Dr. Lamphoune concluded “I would like to thank all departments, Teacher Training Colleges, teachers and development partners who have contributed to the development of this tool. Together, we are taking an important step toward stronger teaching, better support for teachers, and improved learning for our students. With the TSA now ready for launch, our task is to work together to support its effective use across the system. If we can help teachers grow in confidence and skill, we will also help our students learn better and build a stronger future for Lao PDR.”
Ms. Kate Goodfruit added “Supporting teachers is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen education. Through BEQUAL, Australia is proud to work alongside MoES in this shared effort to build a workforce of confident, capable teachers who can deliver quality learning for every child. This is an investment not only in schools, but in the future skills and capabilities of Lao PDR.”
