1. Professional Education System in Lao PDR
Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF)
By:
Bounlouane Douangngeune, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Director
Laos-Japan Human Resource Development Institute
National University of Laos
13 May 2016
DRAFT 1

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

3. I. Education Development policy
Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF)
I. Education Development policy
Education is a core of human resource development to serve the country’s socio-economic development
To enhance human resource development is one of the government’s priorities
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
DRAFT 1

4. I. Education Development policy
Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF)
I. Education Development policy
Requirements for education development
Consistency with national socio-economic development plan and human resource development plan
Need to ensure three characteristics: national, modern and scientific, and interpersonal characteristics
Learners should be developed in five pillars such as morale, intellectual, labor, physical strength and art
Learners should gain a good balance between theories and practices
Learners should be encouraged to learn both in the classroom and real life situation
Ensure high quality and constancy with the regional and global contexts
DRAFT 1

5. II Education System Structure
Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF)
II Education System Structure
25 ¯ó 24 23 22 21 20 19 18
17 ¯ó 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4
3 ¯ó
Medical Sciences, Postgraduate programs
Univer--sity
Higher
Diploma ( 3 yrs )  
Non
Formal
EducaŒ
tion
USE ( 3 yrs)
TVET
( 2 Π3 yrs)
LSE (4 yrs)
UPE( 5 yrs )
Kindergarten( 3- Œ5 yrs)
Creche( 3 m Π3 yrs )
Education Sector Developmen strategies and policies
DRAFT 1

6. Professional education
Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF)
Professional education
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.
DRAFT 1

7. Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF)
TVET - Requirements
TVET should be conducted according to three features, five education principles and ensuring meeting labor quality standards.
TVET should ensure good balance between theories and practice, consistency, continuity, connectivity and life-long learning.
TVET should ensure that learners can be self-employed, balancing between domestic and foreign labor supply.
TVET should not discriminate learners regardless of their physical, mental, economical and social statuses.
DRAFT 1

8. Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF)
TVET - System
Formal and non-formal TVET
Formal TVET
Technical degree (9+3 or 12+2)
Diploma degree (12+2 or 12+3)
Bachelor degree (12+4)
Non-formal TVET
Short term trainings conducted either by training institution or by the employers
DRAFT 1

9. Main stream professional education
Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF)
Main stream professional education
also called higher education, or post-secondary education or post-technical degree education.
starts from diploma degree through doctorate degree, for promoting life-long learning, aiming to create experts, researchers and scientists
DRAFT 1

10. Main stream professional education system
Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF)
Main stream professional education system
Diploma degree (12+2 or 12+3)
Bachelor degree (12+4)
Master degree (12+4+2)
Doctorate degree ( )
DRAFT 1

11. III. Current situation of professional education in Laos
Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF)
III. Current situation of professional education in Laos
Professional education in Laos has expanded rapidly in recent decade
But, such development is not consistent with the actual labor demand
Too much main stream professional education compared to TVET
In main stream professional education, there is also imbalance among disciplines
DRAFT 1

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

13. Items under survey and results
Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF)
Items under survey and results
Definition and structure
Education method (theories, practice)
Curriculum (following National Curriculum Standards and nature of disciplines)
Qualifications for and evaluation of teachers (one level up with specialized skills, multiple methods)
Entrance and graduation qualification of students (following requirements set by Ministry of Education and Sports and particular programs)
DRAFT 1

14. THANK YOU!