Projects

Improving Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR

On behalf of the Australian Government, Tetra Tech manages the Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR (BEQUAL) program, supporting the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) in advancing its Education and Sports Sector Development Plan.

The BEQUAL program stands as Australia’s flagship investment in Lao PDR’s education sector, embodying a collaborative effort to uplift teaching quality and student learning outcomes. Since its inception, BEQUAL has been dedicated to addressing educational disparities, particularly for those disadvantaged within the system.

Phase 1: Laying the Foundations for Educational Equity (2015-2022)

The first phase of BEQUAL targeted the enhancement of educational access in disadvantaged districts by upgrading infrastructure, awarding scholarships to future teachers from rural areas and supporting local innovations to tackle educational challenges. A landmark achievement was the overhaul of the primary curriculum, introducing a student-centred approach that employs active learning to foster greater engagement and improve learning outcomes. Phase 1 was characterised by the nationwide provision of teaching and learning materials, training of all primary teachers in the new active learning pedagogy, efforts to increase the number of teachers from ethnic backgrounds teaching in remote areas and the promotion of inclusivity within educational environments. An Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) study spanning 2020 to 2022, highlighted the positive impact of these initiatives, noting marked improvements in teaching quality and student participation, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phase 2: Advancing Teacher Professional Development and Curriculum Implementation (2022-onwards)

Phase 2 builds upon the foundational work of Phase 1, focusing on the continuing professional development (CPD) of teachers and the effective implementation of the revised curriculum. This current phase aims to empower teachers with the skills and confidence necessary for the curriculum’s delivery, supported by a newly established school-based CPD system. In partnership with MoES departments, BEQUAL Phase 2 is crafting policies that align with effective teacher management and support mechanisms. Despite the setbacks of the pandemic and economic challenges, the program remains steadfast in its mission to elevate the quality of primary education, ensuring that the reforms are responsive to local needs and led by the Government of Lao PDR’s vision for its future.

Our role and impact

Embedded within the MoES, Tetra Tech’s team collaborates closely with provincial and departmental colleagues to steer, administer and monitor crucial activities from the Education and Sports Sector Development Plan. This involvement encompasses significant capacity building and systems strengthening to ensure that the program’s supported changes are sustainable, locally driven and align with the Government of Australia and Government of Lao PDR’s shared development priorities.

BEQUAL’s transformative impact is evident, with Phase 1 reaching more than 630,000 individuals, including a significant number of students and educators. Highlights include the distribution of 3,442,000 new inclusive curriculum textbooks distributed to all primary students in 8,757 schools nationwide, an increase in skilled teachers from ethnic minority backgrounds and the promotion of gender equality and inclusivity through educational content. Phase 2 continues this legacy, focusing on teacher development and curriculum implementation to further enhance educational quality and accessibility across Lao PDR.

Beyond education, Tetra Tech offers a broad spectrum of solutions, including health, inclusion justice and transformative initiatives designed to foster sustainable development and improve quality of life globally.

The BEQUAL program’s success is underpinned by a dedicated team of experts, comprising education specialists, policy advisors and capacity builders who work in harmony with the Australian Embassy’s Education team and MoES departments to fulfil the program’s objectives.