BEQUAL has supported the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR to develop and implement the revised national primary curriculum and associated teaching and learning materials that promote gender equality and inclusive education. The revised curriculum is based on a student-centred approach that integrates active learning through hands-on experience and practical application. The curriculum revision, together with the development of textbooks and teacher guides, has been led by the Research Institute for Educational Sciences (RIES) with technical assistance from BEQUAL. Implementation of the new curriculum in primary schools began in September 2019 with grade 1, with one grade rolled out each year thereafter. The primary curriculum revision was completed with the materials for grade 5 rolled out nationwide in September 2023.

During the Phase 2 extension, BEQUAL continues to work with RIES through:

• Research and learning to identify and inform effective strategies and approaches for language and literacy development in Lao classrooms
• Resource development to support teachers in multigrade classroom settings
• Development and nationwide implementation of Spoken Lao lessons to provide language support for students who do not speak Lao when they start primary school
• Student assessment policy engagement to raise awareness of the need for reasonable accommodation for diverse student learning needs
• Mapping of climate change content in the primary curriculum to support improved teaching and learning about climate change