Meeting with the Ministry Education and Sports of the Lao PDR

On March 27, 2025, SEAMEO RETRAC met with H.E. Dr. Samlane Phankhavong, Vice Minister of Education and Sports of Lao PDR. The meeting served as an opportunity to deepen dialogue on strategic cooperation between SEAMEO RETRAC and key stakeholders in Lao PDR, particularly IFEAD, with a shared vision of enhancing leadership, management, and overall educational quality nationwide. Vice Minister Samlane Phankhavong commended SEAMEO RETRAC’s support in capacity-building for educational leaders and managers in Lao PDR while acknowledging the Center’s role in offering practical training aligned with regional demands for advancing national education reform.

Both sides agreed on the relevance of tailored programs that address local needs while also drawing on international best practices. Looking forward, the discussion explored key areas for enhanced cooperation, including:

• Development of customized leadership and management programs for educational administrators in Lao PDR;
• Joint research initiatives focusing on policy innovation, school leadership, and educational quality assurance;
• Establishment of professional learning communities and mentorship schemes within IFEAD’s network.