(KPL) The Ministry of Education and Sports held a handover ceremony on June 19, 2025, to mark the official transition of leadership. The ceremony took place at the ministry’s headquarters in Vientiane and was attended by senior officials, including Mr. Bounthong Chitmany, Politburo member, permanent member of the Party Secretariat, and Vice President of the Lao PDR.

During the event, Mr. Visouk Phomphitak, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Organization Committee, announced the approval of Politburo Order No. 09 and Presidential Decree No. 106, officially confirming the retirement of Mr. Phout Simmalavong as Minister of Education and Sports and Party Secretary. At the same time, Politburo Resolution No. 11 appointed Mr. Thongsalith Mangnomek, former Head of the Party Central Committee’s Office, as the new Minister and Party Secretary.

In his speech, Vice President Bounthong emphasized that the leadership change is part of an ongoing process to strengthen the Party and State. He explained that rotating and refreshing leadership positions is a normal and essential practice under the Party’s principle of “up-down, in-out.” This system aims to improve leadership quality across all levels by providing new opportunities and responsibilities.

Mr. Bounthong also praised the achievements under Mr. Phout Simmalavong’s leadership. Over the past term, the ministry made strong progress in implementing the 11th Party Congress resolutions and the 9th five-year national development plan. Improvements were made in education reform, teaching quality, human resource development, scientific research, and physical education. These efforts aligned with the Party and government’s direction and achieved significant results.

He urged the ministry’s new leadership, officials, and Party members to continue building on past achievements and push forward for further progress in education and sports development.

KPL