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This project aims to improve the quality of teaching in basic subjects (Lao language and mathematics) and the learning environment for children from ethnic minorities through targeted interventions both inside and outside school.
An evaluation of early school reading (EGRA) carried out in six provinces of Laos showed major inequalities in reading between Lao pupils and those from ethnic minorities. More than 30 % of the latter did not read any words in third grade, and 57 % did not understand what they were reading.
Current teaching methods do not enable pupils to develop their basic skills effectively, which is detrimental to their educational careers and future access to employment. In addition, many grow up in homes that are not conducive to learning, with few or no books.
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Project objectives
To improve the quality of teaching in core subjects (Lao language and mathematics) and the learning environment for marginalised and/or ethnic minority children through targeted interventions both in and out of school.
Use information and communication technologies (ICT) to facilitate learning in core subjects.
What we have done
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An application has been developed with educational content based on the Laotian school curriculum, textbooks used in schools and material adapted from Laotian authors. The platform is accessible both online and offline, and the target schools are equipped with tablets.
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In terms of enhancing teachers' skills, the emphasis is on training teachers in the child-centred approach, which takes into account each child's prior skills, needs and interests, and supports them so that they can develop their knowledge in a constant and growing way.
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Setting up low-cost mobile libraries to serve young children in the villages, as access to more reading and learning materials stimulates children's learning and interest in reading. Specially recruited and trained local volunteers ensure that children have access to learning materials adapted to their level and read and play with them.
Key figures
schools
teachers and local authority representatives
children, half of them girls
parents
Our partners
Green Leaves Education Foundation - Sandoz Family Foundation - HelpEducation Foundation
Find out about all the other projects run by Action Education in Asia in our latest issue. Activity Report
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