Many people in my village speak only their ethnic language and can’t understand Lao. This could become really challenging when they need to communicate with people outside our community.  When sick, they will need to find someone speaking Lao to go to the hospital and help with translation. They will have to pay for transportation and food for the translator. This is one of the many examples why we should encourage and support our children to study Lao language and learn to become independent”

Australia’s new Ambassador to Lao PDR, Mr Jean-Bernard Carrasco, made his first regional visit to Savannakhet Province on 26-28 February. Ambassador Carrasco called on Savannakhet Governor, HE Mr Santiphab Phomvihane, to discuss Savannakhet Province’s economic and social development progress

27th February is World Non-Government Organisation (NGO) Day. Each year, this date is celebrated by communities, leaders, diplomats, and many organisations around the world, acknowledging and promoting the important work of these organisations

Like Noung Gu Lhao, Jue Lee and Por Ju, many children in Lao PDR are not going to school; they are not able to read or write, neither are they able to develop life skills necessary for socialising with friends of their own age. They are not prepared for a better future for themselves and their families

Australia recently conducted a mid-term review of BEQUAL to reflect on progress and lessons learned from the first two years. Interim findings highlight the significant work that has already been undertaken and identify opportunities to ensure our joint efforts continue to reach the most educationally disadvantaged children

Policy guidance is provided by senior personnel from the MoES, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the European Union Delegation through the Program Steering Committee

For the first time in donor history in Laos, a single program has been tasked with revising both the national primary curriculum, which will be taught in all classrooms across the country and the primary teacher education curriculum which will be used to train future teachers.

It’s difficult to study when rain is blowing on your book through the planks of the classroom wall or when there are not enough tables to write on. How can you go to school when you are in a wheelchair and there are only stairs leading up to the classroom? And how can you stay healthy at school when there is no toilet and no tap to wash your hands?

Xiangkhouang province, famous for its enigmatic giant stone megaliths known as the Plain of Jars, conceals another precious treasure, its cultural diversity. With eight sub-ethnic groups, this diversity translates into a variety of languages and dialects. Indeed, nearly half of the population is either Hmong or Khmu speaking.