Mr Outhit Thipmany and Ms Vanessa Hegarty open the script writing workshop

(KPL) The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) launched a scriptwriting workshop this week to develop a new communication campaign to promote the value of education and support student retention. Initiated at the request of the Minister of Education and Sports, the campaign is being developed with support from the Australian Government through the Basic Education Quality and Access in the Lao PDR (BEQUAL) programme.

The workshop was officially opened by Mr. Outhid Thipmany, Deputy Director of the Research Institute for Educational Sciences, and Ms. Vanessa Hegarty, First Secretary, Australian Embassy. It marks a first step in addressing the concerning rate of student dropout linked to economic pressures and a growing belief that education does not lead to employment.

 “Education is not just a personal achievement. It is a national investment. We must remind our communities that learning opens doors, builds resilience, and helps young people thrive. With strong support from the Australian Government, we are creating videos that speak directly to parents and students. We will reshape how families see the future. This is how we make education a priority again,” Mr. Outhid Thipmany.

The objective of the campaign is to motivate students and parents to see education as an investment

Ms. Vanessa Hegarty praised the collaborative effort: “This workshop is part of a shared effort to respond to one of the most urgent issues in education today: student dropout. Too many children in Laos are leaving school too early, and when they do, it limits their future, their opportunities, and the development of the country. Through these short, powerful videos, we hope to speak directly to parents, students, teachers, and communities, encouraging them to see education as a valuable investment in the future.”

The workshop was attended by representatives from the Research Institute of Educational Sciences (RIES) Information Media Centre and E-learning teams, who are leading the video production at the Ministry of Education and Sports. Participants also included representatives from the Department of Teacher Education (DTE) and the Department of General Education (DGE). The sessions were facilitated by communication experts from the BEQUAL program, who provided technical guidance on script development and storytelling approaches.

The campaign will celebrate the long-term impact of teaching 

The campaign will include several short videos that address the growing issue of student dropout in the Lao PDR. The videos aim to shift perceptions among students, parents, and communities by showing that education, while not always an immediate path to employment, builds the skills and opportunities young people need to shape their own futures. 

“By showing that education strengthens essential skills and expands opportunities, the campaign seeks to inspire students to stay in school and encourage parents to support their children’s education, paving the way for a stronger future for Laos. Education is a shared responsibility. This campaign is one way we can reach into homes and hearts, reminding parents and students that staying in school matters, because education is the pathway to resilience and opportunity. In a rapidly changing world, getting an education is the preparation for a successful future,” Mr. Outhid Thipmany explained.

Script writers discuss different realistic life stories

Over the next four days, the Ministry’s video production teams will refine the video scripts and develop storyboards. The final videos will reflect the realities of Lao families, using culturally relevant examples. The production will be led by RIES in collaboration with DTE and DGE, with the goal of releasing the videos before the start of the 2025–26 school year in September.

The campaign will be broadcast on national television, shared on social media, and used in community outreach by National Assembly members. Videos will also be made available to teachers, pedagogical advisors, and education officials to support local advocacy in schools and villages.

“This is not just a media campaign, it is a national message of hope and ambition,” concluded Mr. Outhid Thipmany. “By investing in education, we invest in the future of every child, every family, and the entire country.”

Ms. Vanessa Hegarty closed with a call to action: “The future of education in Laos deserves powerful stories, and it starts right here.”

KPL