Laos Ministry of Education and Sports hosts national conference on Non-Formal Education

The Department of Non-Formal Education of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) of Laos organized a Non-Formal Education National Annual Conference 2023. The conference was held on September 14-15, 2023, in Keo Oudom District of Vientiane Province, and was chaired by Mme. Dr. Sisouk Vongvichith, Deputy Minister of MoES. The objectives of the national annual conference on sharing experiences of the Non-Formal Education Sub-Sector in 2023 were to share knowledge and experiences, discuss and identify priority action plans, and establish a common understanding among policy makers and NFE personnel. A total of 76 participants attended the conference, including representatives from the MoES, provincial education and sports services, the Department of Non-Formal Education, the Non-Formal Education Development Centre, regional NFE centers, DVV International, and Village Focus International.

The following documents were introduced and shared at the conference:

• Reports on the implementation of the NFE Sub-Sector, on the implementation of Teaching-learning NFE EP, on the implementation of NFE Basic Vocational Training, Progress report on the review NFE statistic and NFE data base (NFE App) and accession on line learning for 2022-2023.
• Presentation on ALE/LLL Developments in the Region and in Lao PDR, Lessons Learnt and Linkages to the Global Policy Level, Lessons Learnt in case of Green Community Learning Centre (VFI), results of the EP UP examination for 2022-2023.
• NFE Action Plan for 2023-2024.

The participants agreed and accepted the NFE action plan for 2024, which aims to address problems, challenges, and target indicators in literacy, equivalency programs, basic vocational training, and lifelong learning.

The conference participants identified three key lessons learned:

• More effective implementation of key legislation and government documents on NFE is needed, with good management.

• Non-Formal Education Sectors and supported agencies need to actively motivate all stakeholders to support priority activities, focusing on women empowerment, access to NFE programs, and income generation for disadvantaged target groups.

Statistics, information, data, and digital teaching and learning in NFE need to be further developed and effectively implemented.