Vientiane: The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), in partnership with the Australian Government through the BEQUAL program, organized a Consultation Workshop to review and refine new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guidelines for primary teachers. The two-day event took place on June 3-4 in Vientiane and at three Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs).
According to Lao News Agency, the workshop brought together key education stakeholders to strengthen the draft guidelines aimed at enhancing professional development and improving teaching quality nationwide. Vice Minister of Education and Sports Daravone Kittiphanh opened the event, highlighting the importance of continuous professional development in driving educational progress. She expressed gratitude to the Australian Government for its support in improving education quality, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
The CPD Guidelines, developed with Australia’s support, are part of MoES’ broader effort to establish a nationwide CPD system for in-service teachers. They define the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders and outline the structure for school-based teacher development. The workshop aimed to gather feedback to ensure the guidelines are practical and effective for all involved in the CPD system.
More than 50 participants attended the workshop, including representatives from MoES departments, Provincial Education and Sports Services, TTCs, District Education and Sports Bureaus, as well as development partners and NGOs. Dr. Daravone emphasized the collaboration with BEQUAL to pilot a new CPD system in 30 target districts, aiming to provide stronger and more sustainable support for teachers at the school level.
Participants engaged in group discussions, contributing actively to the draft guidelines and piloting plans. The Department of Teacher Education presented achievements in school-based CPD implementation and outlined the guidelines’ structure and intended use. On the second day, discussions concentrated on gathering stakeholder feedback and agreeing on key revisions to the draft.
Vanessa Hegarty, First Secretary at the Australian Embassy, reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting teacher development in Laos. She noted that with the education sector facing a teacher shortage, professional development is more critical than ever.
The revised CPD Guidelines, incorporating stakeholder feedback, are expected to be finalized and approved for nationwide use by December 2025. Once adopted, the guidelines will provide clear direction and support for all stakeholders involved in teacher professional development.
Concluding the workshop, Dr. Daravone emphasized the necessity of continuous improvement in education, stating, ‘How can we progress in a world that is constantly changing? It means we must adapt. That’s why educators can never stop improving. If we stop learning, we stop developing ourselves, we stop growing.’