Quality teaching forms the foundation of a strong education system

(KPL)The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), in collaboration with the Australian Government through the BEQUAL program, hosted a Consultation Workshop on June 3–4 in Vientiane and at three Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) to review and refine new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guidelines for primary teachers.

The two-day workshop brought together key education stakeholders to strengthen the draft guidelines, which aim to enhance professional development and improve teaching quality nationwide.

Opening the event, Vice Minister of Education and Sports Daravone Kittiphanh emphasized the significance of continuous professional development in driving educational progress.

“This CPD Guidelines consultation workshop plays a vital role in advancing our efforts to improve teaching quality. Teachers are at the heart of education, and strengthening teaching is a top priority for the Ministry,” she said. “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Australia for their long-standing support in improving education quality, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Their contribution is helping promote inclusive education and ensure equal access to learning opportunities.”

Teachers have access to a range of CPD tools, including development videos and support packs

The CPD Guidelines have been developed with Australia’s support as part of MoES’ broader effort to establish a nationwide CPD system for in-service teachers. The guidelines define the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders and outline the structure for school-based teacher development.

The workshop aimed to gather feedback to ensure the guidelines are practical and effective for all involved in the CPD system.

“There are many decrees and regulations related to CPD. Over the next two days, we will revise the draft guidelines developed with support from Australia through the BEQUAL program. Our goal is to produce a comprehensive document that supports teacher training and teaching quality,” said Dr. Daravone. “The Department of Teacher Education will lead the implementation of these guidelines.”

More than 50 participants attended the workshop, including representatives from relevant MoES departments, seven target Provincial Education and Sports Services, eight TTCs, three target District Education and Sports Bureaus, as well as development partners and NGOs.

Dr. Daravone highlighted that the Department of Teacher Education is working closely with BEQUAL to pilot a new CPD system in 30 target districts.

CPD guidelines clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of all education stakeholders

“We aim to provide stronger and more sustainable support for teachers at the school level. We will monitor outcomes, learn from the results, and then expand the system nationwide,” she said. “That’s why we have invited other development partners to join this workshop. I encourage everyone to actively listen, participate fully, and share insights to ensure the guidelines are practical and suitable for the Lao context.”

The Department of Teacher Education presented current achievements in school-based CPD implementation and gave an overview of the purpose, structure, and intended use of the guidelines. Participants contributed actively in group discussions and provided input on the draft guidelines and piloting plans. They were also briefed on the next steps, including sub-national focus group consultations to finalize the guidelines.

On the second day, discussions focused on gathering stakeholder feedback and agreeing on key revisions to the draft.

In an interview, Vanessa Hegarty, First Secretary at the Australian Embassy, reaffirmed Australia's commitment to supporting teacher development in Laos.

“Quality teaching is at the heart of a strong education system. We are proud to support MoES in strengthening professional development opportunities through these CPD Guidelines,” she said. “The education sector is currently facing a teacher shortage, which makes professional development more critical than ever. Strengthening CPD ensures existing teachers receive the support they need to be effective in the classroom. That’s why Australia continues to invest in teacher development as a key strategy to improve education quality in Laos.”

The revised CPD Guidelines, incorporating stakeholder feedback, are expected to be finalized and approved for nationwide use by December 2025. Once adopted, the guidelines will provide clear direction and support for all stakeholders involved in teacher professional development.

Concluding the workshop, Dr. Daravone stated, “How can we progress in a world that is constantly changing? It means we must adapt. That’s why educators can never stop improving. If we stop learning, we stop developing ourselves, we stop growing.”

KPL