VIENTIANE: The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) in collaboration with Australia, under the Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR (BEQUAL) program, has unveiled two new teacher development videos aimed at improving classroom management and Lao language teaching techniques for non-Lao speaking students.
According to Lao News Agency, the videos were produced by the Research Institute of Educational Sciences (RIES) and align with resources from the Department of Teacher Education (DTE) to aid teachers’ professional development. These educational tools address challenges such as language barriers, overcrowded and multigrade classes, often encountered in remote teaching environments. Filmed in classrooms in Kham district, Xiangkhouang province, and Xaythani district, Vientiane, the videos offer practical demonstrations of effective teaching practices and are dubbed in Sign Language to ensure accessibility.
Anoulom Vilayphone, Director General of RIES, emphasized the importance of these resources, noting that they are based on feedback from teachers facing these challenges. Teachers can utilize the videos to enhance lesson preparation, refine their methods, and adopt new techniques from the curriculum Teacher Guides. Pedagogical support staff at district and school levels can also leverage these videos to assist teachers.
Vanessa Hegarty, First Secretary at the Australian Embassy, highlighted Australia’s commitment to supporting Lao teachers, especially amid the current teacher shortage. The collaboration aims to equip educators with essential resources and foster motivation, particularly in remote areas. Continuous professional development is seen as crucial for improving teaching quality and retaining teachers in their essential roles.
The “Classroom Management” video introduces six strategies to foster student independence and engagement, crucial for the Lao PDR’s multigrade primary classes. Effective classroom management supports the student-centered approach of the new curriculum, which includes interactive activities. The video also aims to improve academic engagement and learning outcomes by creating a conducive learning environment.
The second video, part of the Spoken Lao Program, showcases techniques to help first-grade students who do not speak Lao develop language skills. This program, supported by Australia, was implemented nationwide in September 2024, transforming from a successful pilot to a nationwide initiative. It encourages teachers to reflect on their practices to enhance student comprehension and learning.
To maximize accessibility, the videos are available on multiple platforms: Lao ESTV – Education and Sports TV Channel on Lao Satellite 8, Khang Panya Lao, and the Teacher Development Videos YouTube channel, as well as on tablets used by pedagogical support staff.
BEQUAL, supported by the Australian Government and USAID, aims to improve educational outcomes for Lao youth, focusing on vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, promoting gender equality and inclusive education.