Lao National Teacher’s Day ~Interview by Chief Representative Miyako KOBAYASHI (Special Edition with Vientiane Times) ~
2024.10.07
With Laos celebrating National Teacher’s Day on October 7, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is reaffirming its commitment to supporting teachers nationwide, particularly in primary mathematics and STEM higher education.
Minister of Education and Sports H.E. Dr. Phout SIMMALAVONG emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to human resource development and acknowledged JICA’s significant contributions to improving education in Laos. In doing so, he highlighted efforts of Education Policy Advisor, Mr. NAGAOKA Yasumasa, noting his outstanding support to the Ministry.
Dr. Phout pointed to several key initiatives, including “The Project for Strengthening Teacher Capacity to Improve Primary Mathematics Lessons” (iTEAM2) and “The Project for Strengthening Human Resource Development of Engineering and Technology for Industry Development in Lao P.D.R” (HUGETECH), as an example of the continuous support from the primary level up until higher education level.
He also mentioned the ongoing construction of demonstration schools under the “Project for Improving Teacher Training Colleges” and the “Project for Improvement of Facilities and Laboratory Equipment in the Faculty of Engineering at NUOL,” which complements the HUGETECH project.
Dr. Phout quotes from his own experiences as an alumnus of Tohoku University in Japan from where he graduated with a master's degree in Japanese Intellectual History. There are currently over 662 Lao students who have benefited from the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) and JICA’s long-term training programs in Japan. Students have the opportunity to pursue their higher education in Japan for MA and/or PhD degrees.
H.E. Dr. Phout SIMMALAVONG, Minister of Education and Sports and Ms. KOBAYASHI Miyako, Chief Representative of JICA Laos Office
JICA Laos Office’s Chief Representative Ms. KOBAYASHI Miyako highlighted the importance of developing human capital in Laos.
“Lao human resource development is crucial for economic growth and social development in the country," Ms. KOBAYASHI said. “JICA will continue its engagement in human development through various support schemes.”
Through the iTEAM2 initiative, JICA collaborates to ensure that primary mathematics textbooks and teaching materials developed by the Research Institute for Educational Sciences (RIES) Math Team and JICA’s iTEAM experts are being effectively utilized by primary school teachers through training programs at eight Teacher Training Colleges nationwide.
Currently more than 10 JICA Volunteers have been dispatched in the field of education. One such volunteer at Bankeun Teacher Training College, Ms. YAMAMOTO Kana, highlighted the importance of lesson preparation.
“The most important part in conducting a mathematics lesson is the preparation that is to be conducted beforehand. Without proper preparation, lessons cannot be conducted smoothly, which is why I work closely through this particular process with the teachers at Bankuen Teacher Training College,” Ms YAMAMOTO said.
Ms. YAMAMOTO Kana, a JICA Volunteer using a projector for running the class for the students at Bankuen Teacher Training Primary School
This comprehensive support has yielded significant benefits for both teachers and students. The headmaster of Bankuen Teacher Training Primary School Mr. Donekeo KHOUNPHOM expressed thanks for JICA's contributions.
“Thanks to JICA’s support in mathematics education, we have greatly benefited from the new textbooks provided by iTEAM. Equipment from EPSON, a Japanese company, has made our classes more interactive through the support of JICA volunteers."
"Our class sizes average around 35 students. Previously, an average of about 10 students struggled to keep up, but this number is now steadily decreasing to an average of 7, reflecting a marked improvement in academic achievement.”
JICA is set to continue to collaborate with Lao partners in support of human resource development for the future prosperity of the country.
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