Renovated technical training school opens in Borikhamxay

A ceremony to hand over the refurbished Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) School in Borikhamxay province took place at the end of last month.
Almost EUR 1.3 million has been spent on the modernisation and extension of the school and the provision of equipment.
Under the VELA-FC programme (Vocational Education in Laos), two provincial schools in Bokeo and Borikhamxay and the Vocational Education Development Institute in Vientiane have received financial support.
The German government through the German Development Bank KfW has committed a contribution of EUR 6 million, while the Lao government through the Ministry of Education and Sports will provide EUR 1.2 million. In total the VELA-FC project is costing EUR 7.2 million.
The VELA-FC programme also facilitates the participation of teachers and school managers from remote areas in training initiatives to standardise the quality of teaching nationwide.

Almost EUR 826,000 million has been spent on the modernisation and extension of the TVET School in Bokeo province and the provision of equipment. The official handover of this school is scheduled for May 14.
The modernisation and extension of the TVET School in Borikhamxay was funded by grants from the Lao and German governments.
Construction and equipping of the Vocational Education Development Institute in Vientiane will be complete this month in readiness for a handover ceremony. Almost EUR 1.33 million has been spent on the modernisation and extension of the Institute and the provision of equipment.
Funding from the German government through KfW covered the rehabilitation of the school buildings which now provide space for all technical workshops, which have been adapted to the needs of the local labour market.
Germany also financed the construction of an administration office as well as two dormitories that can accommodate 256 students. As a result, the vocational school’s capacity has increased from 350 to 650 students, who can enrol in nine different training programmes.
In 2015, the school became part of the joint Lao-German VELA-FC Programme, whose aim was to qualitatively and quantitatively improve education and training at vocational schools in Laos.
Director of the Borikhamxay provincial Education and Sports Department, Mr Khamsy Ngommalth, welcomed attendees to the handover of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training School.
These included provincial Governor Mr Kongkeo Xaysongkham; Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Prof. Dr Kongsy Sengmany; German Ambassador to Laos, Mr Jens Lutkenherm; and representatives of line ministries, KfW, and other development partners.
The visitors toured the newly extended campus, as well as workshops and student demonstrations in electrical, automotive and heavy machinery skills.
Speaking on behalf of the people of Borikhamxay and provincial authorities, Mr Kongkeo expressed his gratitude and sincere appreciation for the contribution from the government of Germany.
The new facilities and equipment would be put to good use for the ultimate benefit of students and teachers at the school.
Also speaking at the event, Prof. Dr Kongsy emphasised the importance of the school for the development of vocational training in Laos.
It would not only make an important contribution to the training of workers in various occupations but also “contribute to the socio-economic development of the country”.
He highlighted Germany’s support for Laos’ vocational sector in the course of bilateral development cooperation through KfW and GIZ, which began in 1963. Thanks to the support of the German government, “13 vocational training institutions were rebuilt, expanded and modernised throughout the country”.
Mr Lutkenherm expressed his hope that the modern buildings and state-of-the art equipment would be an investment in Laos’ future workforce. Provided that the new buildings and equipment were used in the best possible way, “high quality training will be offered to give students the skills they need to successfully find a job”.
In 2018, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany provided new commitments amounting to EUR 50.0 million to the Lao government. This comprised financial cooperation through KfW amounting to EUR 30.0 million, and technical cooperation through GIZ amounting to EUR 20.0 million.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update May 4, 2019)