Vientiane: Laos has announced a significant reduction in school days as part of an emergency strategy to alleviate financial pressure on families due to volatile fuel prices. The Lao Prime Minister's office declared on Thursday that all general educational institutions nationwide, both public and private, will cut the number of school days per week from five to three. The aim is to maintain academic standards by extending the academic year to compensate for the lost learning time.
According to Thai News Agency, the Lao government has prepared additional contingency measures in case the fuel price pressure persists. Educational institutions equipped with adequate digital infrastructure will transition to distance learning. Meanwhile, those lacking the necessary technical readiness might face temporary class suspensions. The Ministry of Technology and Communications has been tasked with monitoring the reliability of internet access across the country and assessing the availability of required equipment to facilitate potential online learning.
Lao authorities are calling on parents, teachers, and students to prepare for the swift implementation of further emergency measures. This initiative is designed to balance the economic challenges with ensuring continued access to education.