FILE PHOTO: In this photo taken on July 25, 2016, Laos students keep watch on the sidelines of the Asean annual ministerial meeting and the Regional Security Forum in Vientiane. Laos aims to strengthen life skills, seen as key to helping young people, especially girls, live confidently and safely in today’s fast-changing society. - AFP
VIENTIANE: The Ministry of Education and Sports is partnering with Room to Read Laos to roll out a new project aimed at strengthening life skills education and promoting gender equality in secondary schools.
The Life Skills Education for Gender Equality Project will run from July 2025 to June 2029 in Luang Prabang and Champasak provinces, with a total budget of more than 34 billion kip (US$1.7 million).
The project will be implemented in eight districts: Luang Prabang City, Xiengngeune, Nan and Pak ou in Luang Prabang province, and Soukhouma, Mounlapamok, Pathoumphone and Bachiengchaleunsouk in Champasak province.
It will focus on building students’ ability to manage real-life challenges through essential skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, decision-making and critical thinking.
These skills are seen as key to helping young people, especially girls, live confidently and safely in today’s fast-changing society.
Director General of the Department of External Relations, Associate Professor Dr Silinthone Sacklokham, said the project will help advance national development goals by improving the quality of teaching and learning in schools.
“Thousands of students and teachers have benefited from this partnership over the past 20 years,” he said.
Dr Silinthone added that the ministry was committed to ensuring the project delivers real impact.
“This project is not just about new content or training; it’s about equipping young people with the mindset and skills they need to thrive and contribute to the future of our country,” he said.
The project will support teacher development by training national master trainers, school principals and teachers in the target provinces.
It will also advocate for life skills education to be included in national policy, support the revision of the secondary school curriculum and explore ways to include life skills training in pre-service and in-service teacher education nationwide.
Country Director of Room to Read in Laos, Nokham Suphanouvong, said life skills were crucial in preparing students for adulthood.
“These skills are just as important as academic knowledge. They help students succeed in life and contribute meaningfully to society,” she said.
The new project builds on Room to Read’s two decades of experience working in Lao schools, with a strong focus on literacy, girls’ education, and teacher training. - Vientiane Times/ANN
