Vientiane: The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), in collaboration with the Australian Government through the BEQUAL programme, has launched two new Education Promotion Campaign videos. These videos are part of a four-part series produced by the Research Institute of Educational Sciences aimed at transforming public perceptions about education’s value, reducing dropout rates, and motivating teachers. They underscore the importance of education in creating opportunities, reassuring parents, and mobilizing communities to support learning.
According to Lao News Agency, the high-level launch event in Vientiane attracted over 200 guests, including officials from the National Assembly, MoES departments, Provincial Education and Sports Services, District Education and Sports Bureaus, Teacher Training Colleges, universities, institutes, schools, media outlets, the Australian Embassy, and development partners. The event was chaired by Dr. Daravone Kittiphanh, Vice Minister of Education and Sports, and Ms. Benita Sommerville, Deputy Ambassador for Australia.
Ms. Sommerville emphasized Australia’s commitment to supporting MoES in tackling challenges such as declining student enrollments and the need to motivate and retain skilled teachers. Dr. Kittiphanh highlighted that the campaign’s core message is that education is not merely about securing a job but gaining skills, thinking critically, and having the freedom to shape one’s future.
Though fictional, the stories in the videos are inspired by real experiences, creating emotionally engaging narratives that highlight common challenges and encourage audiences to take action. Notable public figures, including Mr. Phankham Viphavanh and Ms. Payengxar Lor, contribute to the campaign, lending credibility and emotional depth to the narratives.
The two new videos, ‘The Dream’ and ‘The Village that Sees the Importance of Education’, present compelling stories. ‘The Dream’ features a young girl from an ethnic minority family advocating for her education, promoting gender equality in STEM fields. ‘The Village that Sees the Importance of Education’ tells of a community uniting to improve educational access, including a storyline of a child with a disability becoming a teacher, and touches on climate change education.
These videos build on previous episodes, ‘The Two Paths’ and ‘The Teacher’s Value’, highlighting the long-term impact of educational choices and the vital role of teachers. Together, the series emphasizes the essential skills, critical thinking abilities, and opportunities that education provides.
Dr. Kittiphanh expressed hope that these stories inspire real-life decisions that support learning, school retention, and teacher motivation. Ms. Sommerville applauded the videos for their inclusive themes, showcasing girls in STEM, inclusive education for children with disabilities, and community efforts to enhance learning.
The premiere included testimonies from individuals transformed by education and recognized campaign contributors for their roles in production. Dr. Kittiphanh called for widespread broadcasting of the films to foster local dialogue, improve school attendance, and strengthen community ownership of education. Ms. Sommerville concluded by affirming Australia’s pride in supporting these impactful films and its ongoing collaboration with MoES to inspire meaningful community action.