Embassy Supports ICT-enabled Learning in Lao Schools

Aug. 23, 2012

Pam Devolder, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane, hands over 20 computers to Vice Minister Lytou Bouapao of the Ministry of Education and Sports at the launch ceremony for the “Building Capacity for ICT-enabled Learning in Laos”

The U.S. government has teamed up with the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports and the Kenan Institute in Asia to promote Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based learning in Lao classrooms.

On Aug. 20, Pam Devolder, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane, officially donated 20 computers to the Ministry of Education and Sports at the launch ceremony for the “Building Capacity for ICT-enabled Learning in Laos” (BCILL) project. BCILL is a one-year program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) which will train 20 teachers from 10 pilot schools in the application of ICT to the effective teaching of science and English.

These “master teachers” will use the equipment and methodology in the pilot schools to help train teachers in nearby schools. The project will also create an online network that will enable teachers to access materials and lesson plans and exchange experience with other teachers. In this way, the program aims to expand ICT-enabled learning to a much greater area of Laos than at present, especially into underserved rural areas.

The launch ceremony was attended by Mr. Lytou Bouapao, Vice Minister of Education and Sports, as well as Mr. Paul Wedel, President of the Kenan Institute Asia. The ceremony was also attended by representatives from the Rural Research and Development Training Center (RRDTC).