Over two productive days from 2–3 March 2026, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), in partnership with Save the Children International in Laos, convened the Foundational Learning Improvement Project (FLIP) Biannual Review and Next 6-Month Planning Meeting in Salavan Province the review was included the field visit to target schools. The project is funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) through the System Transformation Grant (STG) and is being implemented in 12 target districts across 5 provinces to strengthen foundational learning for children in disadvantaged communities.
The meeting was attended by H.E. Dr Daravone Kittiphanh, the Vice Minister of Education and Sports of Laos. Mr. Sithong Sikhao, Acting Director General of the Department of Planning; representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; 5 Provincial Education and Sports Services (PESS); 12 District Education Sports Bureaus (DESBs), Village Education Committees and Classroom Teachers and together with SCI’s Country Director, Luke Ebbs.
The programme commenced with field visits to Toumlan District, where participants engaged with district officials, school leaders, teachers, village representatives, students, and their parents. The delegation reviewed progress across four key areas: expanding school readiness for 5-year-olds, strengthening continuous professional development for primary teachers, supporting girls at risk of dropping out, and improving school budget and project management. These discussions generated valuable insights and lessons learned from the first six months of implementation. During the visit, the project also handed over three motorbikes and laptops to support the District Education Sports Bureau External Pedagogical Support staff in coaching and monitoring Internal Pedagogical Supports (IPSs) teams, and in effectively implementing school activities.
On the second day, participants reflected on achievements from July–December 2025 and agreed on clear priorities and action plans for January–June 2026. The meeting also introduced three new target districts and sought endorsement from Project Steering Committee members, ensuring progress toward our national education goals and guaranteeing that every child has access to foundational literacy and numeracy.
This biannual meeting highlighted the strong collaboration between national, provincial, and district education partners, all working together to ensure every child has access to quality education and a strong foundation for the future.
