(KPL) The government of Japan has provided grant assistance worth 430,929 US dollars for constructing secondary school facilities and supporting gender education in Bokeo Province.

The signing ceremony for a grant contract for this project was held at the Japanese Embassy in Vientiane Capital on Nov 28 between Ambassador of Japan to Lao PDR Takeshi Hikihara, and Project Manager of Plan International Japan (PIJ) Chiya Nagashima. Plan International Japan is a Japanese non-profit organization.

The event was witnessed by Ambassador Khenthong Nuanthasing, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, Ms Mona Girgis, Country Director, Plan International in the Lao PDR, and representatives of the relevant ministries.

The project, entitled "Better secondary education for girls through promotion of gender equity," is in its second year and aims to create gender-sensitive school environments and develop the capacity of secondary school teachers, students, and communities to promote gender equality.

The project will target all 10 secondary schools in Phaoudom District which is one of the remotest and poorest districts in Bokeo Province, where the majority of the population are ethnic minorities.

Due to traditional gender norms, girls are expected to engage in domestic work and get married early, which limits their access to secondary education.

To address these issues, the project conducted various activities in its first year in five target schools, such as construction of student dormitories, training of trainers for gender training, and gender training for teachers, PTA members, and Student Club Leaders, as well as facility management and maintenance training.

In the second year, the project will conduct refresher training for government partners, schools, and community members on the topics of gender equality.

In addition, the project will target five new schools and the same activities as in the first year will be carried out there. Furthermore, dormitories with kitchens, latrines, and water supply systems will be constructed in one school, and facility management and maintenance training will be conducted in all 10 target schools.

Plan International seeks a world where all children realize their full potential, and strives for a world that advances children's rights and equality for girls. It works in 70 countries around the world together with children, schools, and government partners.  

Plan International Japan has been engaged with development support in the education and health sectors in the Lao PDR since 2008.

KPL