Overview of the General Education System

The Lao People's Democratic Republic, generally addressed as Lao PDR, possesses an imperative historical background that has immensely contributed to its educational system. This impact influenced the nation's political development and its ancient legacy. In 1975, the country shifted to a Communist State, which focused on establishing a unified national education framework despite the prevailing economic setbacks.

Laos’ educational system is governed by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES), which supervises policies, curriculum standards, and institutional quality. In this centralized structure, Laos offers a system with eight core levels: Early Childhood Education (ECE), Primary Education, Lower Secondary Education, Upper Secondary Education, Post-Secondary Education, and Tertiary Education. The ECE nurtures children ages zero to two with nursery care, kindergarten is for ages three to five, and a newly implemented preschool program for five-year-olds. Although early childhood education (ECE) is not mandated, it is a crucial foundation for basic education.

Primary education is the only compulsory level, starting at age six and continuing for five years. Learners are awarded the Primary School Certificate upon completion. Students then move to Lower Secondary Education, which spans four years for ages 11–15. Students are awarded with Diplôme d'Études du Premier Cycle d'Études Nationales (DEPCEN) after the completion. Following this, Upper Secondary Education lasts three years for ages 15–18 and ends with the Baccalauréat II, which qualifies students for entry into higher education. Furthermore, students may choose among academic, vocational, or teacher-training tracks at the upper secondary level. Reports from World Population Review (Chanlivong, 2025) showed that Laos’ literacy rate among ages 15 and above is 88% and ranks 7th among ASEAN regions.

Educational institution types in Laos vary, including public institutions, which dominate the school milieu. Private schools often in urban areas, international schools catering to emigrants and elite locals, and religious schools, particularly Buddhist communities, are also included. The Lao language is the official medium of instruction, aside from French and English. However, many students do not speak the Lao language. A significant reorganization initiative is expanding vocational education in 2024–2025, which addresses labor shortages and equips students with market-relevant technical skills.

Apart from the basic education, the MOES advocates inclusive education policies, especially after the 2011 adoption of the National Policy on Inclusive Education. This initiative has increased access for children with disabilities, supported by special and inclusive mainstream schools. For instance, in 2016, three special schools offered education for children with disabilities in Luang Prabang province, Vientiane Capital, and Savannakhet, which are all under the management of the Ministry of Health. The policy also caused the expansion of the scope of equitable education.

Education in Laos is only compulsory at the primary level, and covers children ages 6 to 11. Statistics from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (n.d.) revealed that only 71% of the Lao children of this age are enrolled. Early childhood education comprises nursery and kindergarten. Although it is not mandatory, the government increasingly emphasizes it as an integral part of basic education. The data from UNICEF (2017) discovered that only 81.9% of enrolled students can finish primary education.

The grade structure transitions from primary of five years to lower secondary for 4 years, upper secondary of 3 years, and then to post-secondary and tertiary studies. However, transition rates are low, as only 15% progress to lower secondary, and just 3% move on to upper secondary, highlighting persistent access and retention challenges (ASEM Education, 2024). Yet in 2023, UNESCO reported that 54.5% of eligible children are enrolled in secondary schools.

Laos’ higher education system accommodates students through universities, teacher training colleges, and technical institutes. The Department of Higher Education (DHE) under the MOES is assigned to govern the sector. Students typically enter higher education after completing upper secondary and passing the Baccalauréat II. The admission to universities is determined via a quota system and aptitude testing. Those who don’t meet provincial quotas may sit for the National University of Laos’ entrance exam.

In addition, all undergraduates complete a two-year Foundation Studies program before pursuing a Bachelor's degree, which takes an additional two to four years. After that, higher education degrees follow a standard progression from Associate Degree to bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate. Master's programs require a bachelor's degree and thesis capability, while Doctoral programs require a Master’s degree and a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0.

In Laos, there are five universities, including the National University of Laos, the country’s primary institution. Ten teacher Training Colleges and 95 private colleges are also reported as part of Laos’ higher institutions. The number of vocational and polytechnic institutions is increasing, particularly in light of the recent reforms aimed at aligning educational training with the demands of the labor market.