Director General of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ms Sisomboun Ounavong (right), and Chief Representative of the JICA Laos Office, Ms Kobayashi Miyako, display a project funding agreement.

Japan grants US$8.2 million to strengthen education in Laos

The Japanese government has granted more than US$8.2 million (JPY1.27 billion) to fund the Project for the Improvement of Provincial Teacher Development Centres in nine provinces of Laos to improve teacher training and the quality of basic education across the country.
The project aims to establish an in-service training system by building teacher training centres in nine provinces that currently have no teacher training colleges, namely Phongsaly, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Huaphan, Xayaboury, Borikhamxay, Khammuan, Xekong and Attapeu.
These centres will serve as training venues to provide educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance classroom teaching and learning.
The Government of Laos and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a grant agreement in Vientiane on Tuesday to support the project.
The agreement was signed by the Director General of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ms Sisomboun Ounavong, and the Chief Representative of the JICA Laos Office, Ms Kobayashi Miyako.
The exchange of notes on this project was signed between the Ambassador of Laos to Japan, Ms Phongsamouth Anlavan and the Ambassador of Japan to Laos, Mr Koizumi Tsutomu, during Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone’s visit to Japan last month.
To enhance teacher education and the quality of basic education, the Lao government and JICA have collaborated on several initiatives. These include strengthening teacher capacity to improve primary mathematics lessons, which is intended to improve teachers’ classroom skills and learning opportunities for students nationwide.
Additionally, collaboration between different projects will further enhance the opportunities for in-service teachers to utilise the new primary maths textbooks that have been revised though previous collaboration with JICA.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos. The two countries have been long-term partners, collaborating across many sectors, including education.
This grant aid project highlights Japan’s commitment to fostering closer bilateral ties and elevating the quality of basic and higher education by supporting pre- and in-service teachers’ capacities, as an investment in Laos’ future.
Construction planned under the project is expected to be completed by 2028. These centres will make significant improvements to the professional development of educators and the overall quality of education in Laos in the coming years.

By Siladda Suliyong
 (Latest Update February 26, 2025)