Early Childhood Education: Making an Impact

Vansy is a 10-year-old boy studying in year 4 at the Primary School located in Pakseng District, Luang Prabang Province, Laos. Vansy is the second of four children. His parents are farmer. He studied at the village preschool sponsored by Save the Children before starting primary school. Vansy’s favourite activity at school is drawing. He gets to and from school everyday by walking. Vanny said “My favourite thing to study is about the environment, and I want to be a police officer when I grow up. I also like singing songs at school and I like to go to school because then I get to see my friends everyday. At home my family helps me learn at home about the world around me and how to be a good student and good member of the community.”

Teacher, Khamphai Keobandith said “Before the preschool was built, not all children attended primary school, and the dropout rate was higher. Now they can go to school earlier so they are more ready for primary school. They don’t want to drop out because they already have friends and they already know how to behave at school and about normal school routines.”

“Since the preschool was built, children come in with better behavior and more knowledge than before, when they were just coming to school for the first time at 5 or 6 years old.”

“Children now have more skills and knowledge and have brighter futures to get better jobs like being government officers, working in offices, or working to help society, not just working in the fields.”

Save the Children Laos is conducting Education activities in many Districts of Luang Prabang Province. A preschool for children aged 3-4 was built. Save the Children also conducts teacher training for grade 1-2 teachers, principal training, and VEDC training (for village education officials).