Children in rural Laos

Laos' educational development is facing a problem of declining quality because of budget constraint and shortage of teachers, who have left for better pay in the private sector.

Official statics show an overall decrease in the number of students completing secondary schools throughout the country for the academic year 2006-07. The number of failing students is larger in provinces than in the capital city area, reflecting another problem - disparity in the quality of the education provided to students. 

Laos' higher education system is also facing serious problems - lack of

Lao National University at DongDok, Vientiane

qualified teachers, equiments, space and teaching materials. Out of the more than 40,000 students who completed secondary education this year, some 24,000 competed in college entrance exam for 1,500 in the Lao National University.

Listen to our Laos Today report for more details in Lao.