VIENTIANE, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government aims to strengthen efforts to reduce school dropout rates and improve education quality nationwide, local news website Lao Phattana News reported on Saturday.
At a national education administrators' meeting held in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province on Friday, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Sports Thongsalith Mangnomek identified reducing dropout as a major priority, urging schools to work closely with parents, communities and other sectors to make classrooms a "second home" for students.
Special attention should be given to poor, disadvantaged and ethnic minority children to ensure they can stay in school and have access to qualified teachers, Thongsalith said.
He also stressed the importance of improving teacher quality through proper placement, continuous training and professional assessment, while strengthening school leadership through training for principals and promoting well-managed model schools.
Other priorities include encouraging excellence in academic, sports and arts competitions, and expanding the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence.
Thongsalith also called for continued improvement of the 6+3+3 curriculum and teacher training based on actual needs, as well as stronger monitoring of education targets not yet achieved. ■