Education and schools in Laos

Making decisions regarding education and schools in Laos can be a challenge for expats. The country is still in the process of improving the accessibility and quality of its schools, and while public education is free, most expats opt out of the system due to language barriers. Vientiane's international schools provide a more appealing option, although at high prices.

Public schools in Laos

Since 1996, primary education has been free and compulsory for all children in Laos, following the national curriculum set by the Ministry of Education and Sports.

There are four periods of education in Laos:

• Pre-primary (ages 3–5)
• Primary (ages 6–10)
• Lower Secondary (ages 11–14)
• Upper Secondary (ages 15–17)

Lao is the language of instruction at public schools, and quality is highly variable. For this reason, expats usually make use of private or international schools in Laos instead.

Private and international schools in Laos

Private schools in Laos are similar to public schools in that they have the same curriculum and language of instruction, though they do have better amenities and provide a higher quality of education due to charging fees.

You’ll likely prefer to send your children to one of the many international schools in Laos. These offer various curricula, including those of the US, UK, Australia, France and the International Baccalaureate. Teaching is in the language of the school’s sponsoring country. Some of these schools may offer Lao as a language, which can help your little ones integrate into Laotian culture more easily.

Most international schools in Laos are located in Vientiane, though some have campuses in Luang Prabang or Pakse.

Special-needs education in Laos

The government of Laos's objective is to include children with disabilities and special educational needs into mainstream schools as much as possible. In practice, however, they are often overlooked. NGOs like Caritas Australia and the Lao Disabled Persons' Association run special-needs schools, but these are small and in high demand.

Expat parents of children with special educational needs may have better luck with international schools, which generally have teaching assistants and accommodations for learners with hearing or visual disabilities.

Tutors in Laos

Tutors are not widely used by locals, but expats may find them helpful, either to ease the transition to a new curriculum or to help children maintain fluency in their mother tongue. Online tutoring can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, while in-person tutors are almost exclusively available in larger cities. Enlisting the services of a Lao tutor can help expat children and parents alike overcome the language barrier.