Education in Lao PDR

EDUCATION IN LAO PDR

1. System of education

   The system of education in Laos is 5-3-3 that is five years of primary school, three years of lower secondary school and 3 years of higher secondary school. The compulsory education is five years at primary school. Vocational and tertiary levels are conducted at the big urban centers. Presently, Laos has 3 universities but the National University of Laos is till responsible for academic transfer and assistance to the north university of Luang Prabang and the south university of Champasak.

2. National Policy on Education

   The Government of Laos concerns a lot on education for his people. Starting from the beginning of full independence in 1975, the government has paid great attention on educating people to realize the important of education and the policy is clear that education is at the top priority of the Party and Government. The national education policy are:  

• To provide at least five years of universal education for all at the school age and provide them access to primary education even in the grassroots.
• To provide a unified common curriculum for all schools at all levels within the country.
• To expand formal education for every part of the country and unified education examinations are organized from the central level.
• To offer high level of education for both vocational and academic to those who get prerequisites to any tertiary education without tuition fee.
• To accept meritocracy in study as criteria for admittance to university level. Every one must sit for entrance examination without exception.

 Objectives of Education

• To foster the well-round development for individual citizen to acquire intellectual, spiritual, moral and physical development to contribute to the construction of the nation.
• To cultivate each individual to pay attention on royalty to the people, and to obey the laws- To adhere to the harmony and peaceful co-existence among the ethnic minorities.
• To enhance mutual understanding and acceptance each other cultural, beliefs and culture without prejudice.
• To educate people the socialist idea logy and disciplines to become the best citizen of the society.