The agreement was signed by Dr. Laovanh Vongkhamsan, Head of the MoES Cabinet Office, and Takao Maruyama, Head of JICA's Detailed Planning Survey Team, following joint consultations held from July 15–24, 2026.
Aligned with the Education and Sports Sector Development Plan (ESSDP) 2026–2030, ITEAM3 aims to improve the quality of primary mathematics education by strengthening students' learning outcomes, enhancing teachers' professional skills, and establishing a sustainable school-based Continuous Professional Development (CPD) system.
Scheduled to begin in January 2027, the 48-month project will support Laos' transition to a 6+3+3 education structure and focus on three key areas.
The project will revise mathematics textbooks and teachers' guides for Grades 4–6, strengthen teacher training through the Research Institute for Educational Sciences (RIES) and teacher training colleges, and expand school-based professional development to 35 districts in Oudomxay, Xayaboury, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Bolikhamxay, Champasak, and Attapeu.
A digital dashboard will also be introduced to monitor student learning outcomes and track project implementation, supporting evidence-based education planning.
Officials said ITEAM3 represents another milestone in the long-standing education cooperation between Laos and Japan, with the shared goal of improving mathematics teaching and providing primary students nationwide with stronger foundational knowledge and problem-solving skills.