Lao People's Democratic Republic : Second Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training Project

Education / Technical and vocational education and training

Sufficient skilled labor available to maintain inclusive and sustainable development in the Lao PDR

TVET system expanded and aligned with evolving labor market needs

Virtual review mission fielded in June 2021.

Teaching and learning environments at eight TVET colleges upgraded

Quality and relevance of demand-driven programs improved

Access to TVET institutions for disadvantaged students increased

Output 1:

1a. Completed. Completed construction of 8 TVET civil works in Champasack TVC, Dongkhamxang TC, Khammouane TVC, Polytechnic College, Savannaket TVC, Pakpasak College, and Vientiane-Hanoi Friendship Technical College. These facilities are operational.

Additional workshops and dormitories have also been constructed using project savings: (i) Vientiane-Hanoi Friendship TVC (2 dormitories) 90% as of 30 Jun 2021; (ii) Pakpasak TC (workshop building) 70% completed as of 30 Jun 2021; and (iii) Khammouane TVC (1 dormitory for male students) 80% completed as of 30 Jun 2021.

1b. Completed. Procurement of major training equipment to upgrade 8 TVET colleges has been completed.

List of equipment was cleared by the Vocational Education Development Institute and confirmed alignment with TVET curricula. Provision of equipment also requires corresponding training programs.

The prioritized trades or areas by colleges are: (i) Champasack TVC for IT-electronics equipment; (ii)

Dongkhamxang agriculture technical school for bio-agriculture and veterinary; (iii) Khammouane TVC for food processing; (iv) Polytechnic college for survey mapping and environment; (v) Technical college of Vientiane province for mechanical technology; (vi) Savannakhet TVC for road bridge construction and automotive/industrial machine; (vii) Pakpasak TVC for building construction and logistics; and (viii) Vientiane-Hanoi TVC for multimedia and graphics design and IT networking.

Additional equipment, using savings identified during the MTR, are procured for various trade areas.

1c. On track to meet target. The project constructed a total of 11 dormitories equipped with furniture and common kitchen to accommodate 1,056 students from rural remote and isolated districts and villages as part of expanding access to skills training and vocational education. Six out of 11 dormitories are reserved for female students. The dormitory management regulations and maintenance are strictly enforced for daily maintenance and inspection; progress of which is posted on the dormitory boards. College management conducts monthly inspection and awards recognition for well performing teams. Champasack TVC provided 10 bicycles per dormitories so that the students can commute to nearby markets and shops after classes. The college managers confirmed that the dormitories provided are reserved for students coming from rural districts and villages; and that the dormitory facilities are with 100% occupancy.

Output 2:

2a. Completed. As of 15 June 2021, 1,102 teachers from 23 TVET institutions received training on the use of LCA (RRP called student-centered teaching), of whom 479 (43%) were women, and 175 (19%) were from ethnic groups. 676 out of 1,102 participants were teachers and instructors from the 8 project colleges, of whom 339 (50%) were women.

2b. On track to meet target. As of 15 June 2021, 533 (79%) out of 676 received LCA training (female 252) in eight project colleges. Tracking revealed that 453 (85%) of those teachers were certified to adopt the LCA, of whom 230 (51%) were women.

2c. On track to meet target. The project colleges confirmed that teachers and instructors have allocated 80% of the lesson hours for hands-on exercise to allow students having more time to familiarize with the equipment and learn how to use them. This can directly build their confidence in using the equipment when employed.

2d. Completed. (i) Academic year 2018/2019: The first batch of 44 scholars including 4 (9% female) teachers, where 32 undertook their study in the country while 12 pursued studies in Thailand. Out of the 44 scholars, 29, including 3 women, graduated and the remaining 14 are preparing their thesis for their graduation in Q4 2021. One female scholar left the program due to health problems. Ethnic scholars include 2 males (5%) and none ethnic female pursing master's degree.

(ii)Academic year 2018/2019: The second batch included 71 and comprised of 41 female (58%) scholars. 65 undertook in-country bachelor's and master's degrees (36 female), of which 42 graduated. Five pursued master's degree in Thailand and Viet Nam, of whom 3 already graduated. The remaining 29 scholars are expected to graduate in Q4 2021. Number of ethnic scholars includes 5 teachers (7%), of whom 3 women.

(iii)Academic year 2019/2020: Under the third batch, 39 (including 15 female, 38%) teachers and managers pursued in-country studies; 1 male scholar is studying in Thailand; 5 taking up their bachelor's degree, of whom 3 are women, are expected to graduate in Q4 2021; and 34 are taking up their master's degrees (12 women and 27 of masters' degree are expected to be completed in Q4 2021, and 7 master degrees will be completed in Q1 2022. There are 3 ethnic scholars, of whom 2 are women.

2e. On track to meet target. 100% of students in diploma and high diploma courses participate in the internship programs.

Output 3:

3a. Completed. Criteria for selection of stipends recipient approved by ADB in Jul 2017 (6 months after project effectiveness).

3b. Completed. As of 15 Jun 2021, the project provides stipends to a total of 4,812 students including 2,606 women (54% against DMF target is 50% women). Of these stipend recipients, 4,445 (92%) come from low-income families (against a target of 1,000 students) including 2,411 women (54% against a target of 50%) and 669 (25%) from ethnic groups. The project records reveal that 3,944 (82%) stipend holders have already completed their trainings, of which 47% were interviewed. Of those interviewed, 18% are employed, and 17% have become self-employed.

3c. Completed. TVET promotion firm was deployed in December 2018 to support TVED for revising the TVET promotion strategy and assist the project colleges to develop promotion activities. The evidence from their studies revealed a social media campaign was necessary to reach the primary decision makers, the students themselves. Supported by trainings delivered by the firm, each college built their own Facebook Alumni group and official, branded Facebook pages to communicate with the general public. The colleges have assigned staff from IT, student affairs, and academic staff divisions to update the college activities and track real time views. The DDG of each college oversees moderators of the pages and groups. The TVED started its own news and public affairs page; TVET Girls Page, Marketplace, and Jobs page to support the campaigns of the 8 TVET colleges. This was a resource for colleges to select and share general TVET promotions content. The firm also assisted the EMIS create their own YouTube channel. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic where face-to-face outreach was limited, through these channels, the audience of the TVET colleges kept growing steadily just by students and teachers sharing the pages in their networks. Colleges are enthusiastic about creating original content about their school image, new facilities, and hands-on exercises for the public to view the new image of skills training. A survey on Lao Perception on TVET revealed that 87% of secondary school student respondents now view TVET as equal to or greater than a university degree.

All procurement of goods and works will be undertaken in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2015, as amended from time to time). A procurement capacity assessment report has been developed during project design.

International competitive bidding procedures will be used for civil works contracts estimated to cost $3 million or more, and goods contracts valued at $1 million. Contracts for works of more than $100,000 but less than $3 million will follow national competitive bidding procedures. Supply contracts for goods estimated below $1 million but above $100,000 will be awarded on the basis of national competitive bidding. Items costing $100,000 or less will be procured through shopping.

Before the start of any procurement, ADB and the government will review the public procurement laws of the central and state governments to ensure consistency with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2015, as amended from time to time).