Professional Education System in Lao PDR By Bounlouane

Professional Education System in Lao PDR By: Bounlouane Douangngeune, Ph. D. Associate Professor, Director Laos-Japan Human Resource Development Institute National University of Laos 13 May 2016

Presentation Outline I. Overview of education policy and directions of the Lao government II. Professional Education System Structure III. Current situation of professional education in Laos IV. Survey of seven professional education institutions 2

I. Education Development policy o Education is a core of human resource development to serve the country’s socioeconomic development o To enhance human resource development is one of the government’s priorities o HRD is carried out through the three programmes as follows: 1. Increase equitable access to education 2. Improve education quality and relevance 3. Strengthen education management 3

I. Education Development policy o Requirements for education development o Consistency with national socio-economic development plan and human resource development plan o Need to ensure three characteristics: national, modern and scientific, and interpersonal characteristics o Learners should be developed in five pillars such as morale, intellectual, labor, physical strength and art o Learners should gain a good balance between theories and practices o Learners should be encouraged to learn both in the classroom and real life situation o Ensure high quality and constancy with the regional and global contexts 4

25 ¯ó 24 23 22 21 II Education System Structure Medical Sciences, Postgraduate programs 20 19 18 17 ¯ó Univer--sity Higher Diploma ( 3 yrs ) 16 15 14 USE ( 3 yrs) TVET ( 2 Œ 3 yrs) 13 12 11 LSE (4 yrs) 10 Formal EducaŒ 9 8 7 UPE( 5 yrs ) 6 Non tion 5 4 3 ¯ó Kindergarten( 3 - Œ 5 yrs) Education Sector Developmen strategies and policies Creche( 3 m Œ 3 yrs ) 5

Professional education o Professional education starts from upper secondary education consisting of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and main stream higher education through upper secondary education. 6

TVET - Requirements o TVET should be conducted according to three features, five education principles and ensuring meeting labor quality standards. o TVET should ensure good balance between theories and practice, consistency, continuity, connectivity and lifelong learning. o TVET should ensure that learners can be self-employed, balancing between domestic and foreign labor supply. o TVET should not discriminate learners regardless of their physical, mental, economical and social statuses. 7

TVET - System o Formal and non-formal TVET n Formal TVET o Technical degree (9+3 or 12+2) o Diploma degree (12+2 or 12+3) o Bachelor degree (12+4) n Non-formal TVET o Short term trainings conducted either by training institution or by the employers 8

Main stream professional education o also called higher education, or postsecondary education or post-technical degree education. o starts from diploma degree through doctorate degree, for promoting lifelong learning, aiming to create experts, researchers and scientists 9

Main stream professional education system o o Diploma degree (12+2 or 12+3) Bachelor degree (12+4) Master degree (12+4+2) Doctorate degree (12+4+2+3) 10

III. Current situation of professional education in Laos o Professional education in Laos has expanded rapidly in recent decade o But, such development is not consistent with the actual labor demand n Too much main stream professional education compared to TVET n In main stream professional education, there is also imbalance among disciplines 11

IV. Survey of seven professional education institutions No Education institution Types of institution Public/Private TVET/Higher Education 1 2 3 4 National University of Laos Banking Institute National Painting Institute Vientiane Human Resource Development College Public Private Higher education 5 6 7 Souksavath College Private Lao-German Technical School Public Pakpasak Technical College Public Higher education TVET 12

Items under survey and results o Definition and structure o Education method (theories, practice) o Curriculum (following National Curriculum Standards and nature of disciplines) o Qualifications for and evaluation of teachers (one level up with specialized skills, multiple methods) o Entrance and graduation qualification of students (following requirements set by Ministry of Education and Sports and particular programs) 13

THANK YOU! 14