Room to Read extends support for education

Lao children will benefit from a project to strengthen education, funded by Room to Read at a cost of more than US$3.6 million.
The ‘Enhancing Education for Lao Children Project phase V’ is also financing the Reading Promotion Project in Attapeu province, with US$135,935 provided by the World Food Programme (WFP).
Room to Read Laos is collaborating with the Ministry of Education and Sports to run phase V of the project from 2020-2022, and the Reading Promotion Project in Attapeu province from 2020-2021.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed recently in Vientiane by an official from the ministry’s External Relations Department, Mrs Silinthone Sacklokham, and an official from the Education and Sports Department in Attapeu province, Mrs Patthan Thepsombat.
The signing was witnessed by the Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Khanthaly Siliphongphan, along with the representatives from line ministries and the World Food Programme.
Room to Read Laos is taking this chance to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Over the past 20 years, the organisation has reached 16.6 million children worldwide, distributed 26 million books, and published 1,582 storybook titles.
In Laos, Room to Read has built more than 300 school buildings and libraries, published 218 storybook titles, distributed 1,988,358 books, and supported 2,560 girls under the Girls Education Programme, of which 1,091 have completed upper secondary school and 554 are working towards a diploma or bachelor degree.
The Girls Education Programme aims to ensure that primary school students develop the habit of reading and becoming independent lifelong learners, while also ensuring that girls complete their secondary education and have the skills to negotiate key life decisions.
The programme has several areas of focus, including life skill training, consultations, and providing educational materials and support for final-year students at secondary school.
Overall, the Room to Read programme focuses on encouraging young children to become independent readers by providing a literate environment at school so that they nurture a reading habit which encourages them to be lifelong learners.
Room to Read also provides holistic support such as reading and writing, instruction training and teaching resources to early grade teachers, so that children develop strong reading and writing skills. The programme sets up school libraries that provide a safe space to learn and play.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update November 11, 2020)