Phase 2 of the Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR (BEQUAL) Program builds on the successful 7-year partnership between the Government of Australia and Government of Lao PDR in Phase 1 with the goal that “more primary school-aged children in Lao PDR, particularly those experiencing disadvantage, demonstrate increased engagement in learning and improved outcomes”.

BEQUAL Phase 2 continues to directly support the education priorities of the Lao government described in the Education and Sports Sector Development Plan and is aligned to the strategic directions set out in Australia’s International Development Policy 2023, International Gender Equality Strategy, International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy and the Australia–Laos Development Partnership Plan 2024-29.

BEQUAL Phase 1 (2015-2022) was focused on supporting the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) to revise the national primary curriculum to integrate a student-centred approach in which student engagement and learning is facilitated through activities, hands-on experience, and practical application. With BEQUAL support, MoES developed accompanying teaching and learning materials for teachers and students and rolled out nationwide curriculum orientation training for in-service teachers.

BEQUAL Phase 2 began on 1 July 2022 and was originally programmed for four years to June 2026. The initial focus of Phase 2 was on establishing a system for teacher continuing professional development (CPD) that is school-based and responsive to locally identified needs. Three teacher training colleges (TTCs) and 30 districts in the corresponding catchment areas received targeted support to design and implement the new CPD system in line with MoES Decree 3342.

Phase 2 has now been extended until June 2028. During the extension, the Program will place greater emphasis on consolidating the CPD system, strengthening institutional ownership, and supporting Lao government leadership to drive reform at national and subnational levels. It will also strengthen research and learning to support evidence-informed improvements in literacy, child protection, and gender-responsive pedagogy, while expanding the focus on inclusive assessment, language development, and climate resilience. In addition, BEQUAL will continue to advance transformative GEDSI outcomes through mainstreamed and targeted support for gender equality and women’s advancement, school-related gender-based violence prevention, and disability-inclusive teaching and learning.

The total contribution of Australia to BEQUAL Phase 2 amounts to AU$49.4 million for the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2028, with an additional AU$3.4 million from USAID for the period from 9 June 2023 to 30 June 2026.