Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR (BEQUAL)

  • P Project/Program

A Active

Key Information

The second Phase of the Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR Program (BEQUAL Phase 2) began on 1 July 2022. BEQUAL Phase 2 builds on the successful 7-year partnership between the Government of Australia and Government of Laos with the goal that “more girls and boys of primary school-age, particularly those experiencing disadvantage, improve learning outcomes”.

BEQUAL Phase 2 continues to directly support the education priorities of the Lao Government described in the Education and Sports Sector Development Plan prepared by the Ministry of Education and Sports and is consistent with the strategic directions set out in Australia’s Education Delivery Strategy and Laos COVID-19 Development Response Plans.

In the first seven years of Phase 1 (2015-June 2022), the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR (MoES) received support from the Australian Government, co-funding from the European Union, and funding from the United States Agency for International Development.

In Phase 2 (initially July 2022-June 2026, with the possibility of a further 4-year extension), the Australian Government continues to support MoES through the BEQUAL program with a focus on primary curriculum development, teacher education and professional development, and integration of gender and inclusive education principles and practices.

BEQUAL’s program implementation is national, with a targeted additional support to educationally disadvantaged districts according to their specific needs.


Lead Implementing Government(s)

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Location(s)

East Asia & Pacific

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Government Affiliation

Government-affiliated program

Years

2022 - 2026

Partner(s)

Not applicable or unknown

Ministry Affiliation

Laos Ministry of Education and Sports

COVID-19 Response

Adapted

Geographic Scope

National

Meets gender-transformative education criteria from the TES  

No

Areas of Work Back to Top

Education areas

Attainment

  • Primary completion

Quality

  • Teacher training

Skills

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy

Cross-cutting areas

  • Gender equality

Program participants

Target Audience(s)

Boys in school, Girls in school

Age

Not applicable or unknown

School Enrolment Status

All in school

School Level

  • Lower primary
  • Upper primary

Other populations reached

  • Teachers - female
  • Teachers - male

Participants include

Not applicable or unknown

Program Approaches Back to Top

Curriculum/learning

  • Gender-sensitive curricula

Teaching

  • In-service teacher training – gender-responsive pedagogy
  • In-service teacher training – pedagogy general
  • Pre-service teacher training – gender-responsive pedagogy
  • Pre-service teacher training – pedagogy general
  • Teaching materials (e.g. lesson plans, curricula)

Program Goals Back to Top

Education goals

  • Curricula, teaching and learning materials are free of gender-bias and stereotypes
  • Improved academic skills (literacy and numeracy)
  • Teachers and learners have the knowledge and skills to promote gender equality

Cross-cutting goals

  • More equitable gender attitudes and norms