More use of technology essential in education: minister

Governments around the world including Laos have been promoting and developing digital education systems, which is now an important global issue and a key priority for the education sector.
Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune, recently shared her views and experiences on the topic in relation to Laos during a video conference titled “Digital Transformation of Education Systems throughout Asean”.

She said the development and use of digital education had taken place rapidly, and varied according to the socio-economic development, readiness and capacity of each country.
In some countries, the development and use of digital technologies is advanced, but for many countries the use of digital tools in education is still in its early stages. The Covid-19 pandemic has focused government attention in many countries on the development and promotion of digital technologies in teaching and learning to ensure continuity in the delivery of education for children, and to ensure the safety of teachers and students.
“In Laos, the Covid-19 pandemic and school closures have made it clear that there is a great need for digitalisation in our education system. During the lockdown of schools and education institutions in Laos, we have used various digital platforms to deliver education,” Mrs Sengdeuane said.
“Teachers and students have both benefited from the introduction of technology into their classrooms. This is evidenced by their continued interest and efforts in applying digital technologies. Teachers are choosing to use information technology and digital platforms in their teaching where possible.”
However, the use of such technology in Laos is limited primarily to urban areas, partly because a Master Plan for Digital Economic Development has not yet been completed, delaying digital transformation within the broader education system. As a result, investment and the provision of government, private and parental infrastructure and digital equipment for students remains limited, especially in rural and remote areas.
In addition, digital literacy amongst teachers and students is limited.
The existing curriculum is not designed for digital technologies in teaching and learning, resulting in many limitations in the management and assessment of student learning outcomes.
However, to promote the digitalisation of education for teachers and students, the Ministry of Education and Sports has initiated joint projects with the private sector, notably telecommunication companies, to provide computers and internet access to information and communications technology centres at the provincial level and to the Educational Science Research Institute to assist in the development of distance learning. In addition, the ministry has partnered with a private satellite company to develop an educational television channel.
Mrs Sengdeuane thanked the Vietnamese government, in particular the Ministry of Education and Training, the Vietnam UNICEF Office, and the Asean Secretariat for organising the conference.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update October 20, 2020)