Signing Ceremony for Digital Literacy Initiative Project in three Provinces of Lao PDR

Initial vocational education and training
21.02.2024
In a significant stride towards advancing digital literacy among students of upper secondary schools and TVET colleges, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) – represented by its International Cooperation Department – joined forces with Swisscontact in the Lao PDR. A signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the Digital Literacy Initiative (DLI) took place on 21st February 2024 at the Crown Plaza in Vientiane Capital, Laos. 

The meeting was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silinthone Sacklokham, the esteemed Director General of the International Cooperation Department at MoES; and Mr. Michael Fink, Country Director of Swisscontact in the Lao PDR. The meeting was attended by 23 representatives from relevant provincial and central government agencies.

"Swisscontact and MoES have consistently lent support to Laos’ education sector, with a significant focus on youth development. Our objective with the DLI project is to complement the 2021-2025 Education Development Plan, aiming to improve student’s educational and employment opportunities through digitalisation. On behalf of MoES, I would like to express my gratitude to Swisscontact, along with the project's donors, The Dariu Foundation and Bread for the World, for their support for this project."
Director General of the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES)

The DLI project promotes digital literacy in the education sector through strengthening ICT skills for students from upper secondary schools and TVET (technical and vocational education and training) colleges by introducing coding and basic programming training, digital entrepreneurship courses and code clubs to increase digital skills, creative and innovative thinkings and team skills.  The project further promotes the importance of digital literacy and ICT activities as non-formal extracurricular activity in the education sector in Laos. 

"As we live in the digital age where technology is not just a tool but an integral part of our lives, being digitally literate is no longer a choice, but a necessity. Training in digital literacy and coding does not only help to understand and use digital technologies but also prepares the students for the future of work in the digital economy and opens a wide range of opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship."
Mr. Michael Fink, Country Director Swisscontact Lao PDR

The Digital Literacy Initiative (DLI) project is co-funded by The Dariu Foundation and Bread for the World. The project will be implemented until December 2026 in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports in three provinces, Khammouan, Xiengkhuang and Oudomxai Province targeting 9 upper secondary schools and 3 TVET colleges.

2024 - 2026
Laos
Initial vocational education and training
Digital Literacy Initiative Laos
The Digital Literacy Initiative (DLI) aims to better prepare youth for productive activities in the digital economy through basic coding and programming lessons, coding clubs and digital entrepreneurship courses for students of upper secondary schools and TVET (technical and vocational education and training) colleges.