Internship at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao PDR（Yao Jiling）

It was indeed a great privilege to undertake my internship under the supervision of Dr. Bounpanh Xaymountry, Director-General, and Mr. Anoupheng Keovongsa, Deputy Director-General in the Department of Planning at the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Lao PDR from February 5th to 25th 2024. Assigned to the Education Coordination Unit (ECU) team within the Department of Planning, my internship can be succinctly summarized with three focal points: girls’ education, language, and minority education. My duties primarily comprised perusing pertinent documents, conducting field surveys (visiting schools and disseminating questionnaires), and engaging in assorted meetings.

During the initial phase of the internship, I liaised with Dr. Bounpanh and Mr. Anoupheng to delineate my principal tasks and formulate the internship itinerary. Subsequently, I delved into literature and documents pertaining to primary education, educational policies, and education decrees, meticulously recording and synthesizing pivotal information. Building upon this groundwork, I refined and augmented my research content. Leveraging Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2019 data, I analyzed the influence of home language on the academic achievement of students across diverse school types and genders.

In the latter stages of the internship, under Dr. Bounpanh and Mr. Anoupheng’s guidance, I crafted a meticulously structured survey questionnaire and contributed to its translation preparation. Subsequently, Dr. Bounpanh, along with colleagues and I, conducted on-site visits to three distinct primary schools, dispensing 100 survey questionnaires to each institution. Following brief discussions with the principals, I entered classrooms to observe lessons. Subsequent to the culmination of on-site visits and questionnaire dissemination, I successfully amassed primary data requisite for my research endeavors, an opportunity for which I am deeply grateful.

Regarding meetings, during the internship, I had the honor of luncheoning with the World Bank’s project team tasked with overseeing endeavors in Laos. We engaged in stimulating dialogue, where I provided a concise overview of my research and educational background. Our discussions spanned primary education in Laos alongside issues germane to girl’s education and minority languages. This served as a priceless opportunity for me to engage with adept individuals and bolster my social acumen. Subsequently, under the guidance of Professor Ogawa, Ajan Anoupheng, and Dr. Bounpanh, I convened an official meeting and luncheon with Mr. Phout Simmalavong, Lao Minister of Education and Sports, an honor of the highest order. Additionally, at the invitation of Madam Daovieng Phongsavath, Deputy Director-General of MoES and a key figure in World Bank and Australian education projects, we attended her relative’s wedding, which not only afforded me insight into the allure of traditional Laotian weddings but enhanced my proficiency in interacting with distinguished individuals, further fortifying my social adeptness.

Last but certainly not least, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my academic advisor, Professor Keiichi Ogawa, for endorsing my MoES internship and affording me the valuable opportunity to engage with an array of exceptional individuals. Under Professor Ogawa’s tutelage, I not only acquired invaluable knowledge but also honed vital soft skills requisite for contemporary society. Furthermore, I express immense gratitude to Dr. Bounpanh Xaymontry, Mr. Anoupheng Keovongsa, Mr. Phisitxay Soulinthone and Mr. Vongvilay Sounthavong for furnishing me with this invaluable internship opportunity and for their invaluable assistance in data collection for my research. Without their unwavering support, my internship would not have culminated as successfully. I am indebted to the ECU team for their meticulous care and support throughout my internship.

Authored by Yao Jiling (Master’s Student)