G LOSSARY
HISTORICAL GLOSSARY OF
EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT
IN L A O PDR
Continuously
Updated
Since 1995
Latest
Richard & Vithanya Noonan
Update
August 13, 2024 Copyright © Richard & Vithanya Noonan
Vientiane, 2024
Cover: Ari Vitikainen
, Table of Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. i
List of Annex Tables ............................................................................................................ i
List of Annex Figures.......................................................................................................... ii
List of Annex Boxes ............................................................................................................ ii
Preface................................................................................................................................. ii
Glossary ............................................................................................................................. vi
0 – 9 ................................................................................................................................. 1
A ..................................................................................................................................... 2
B...................................................................................................................................... 8
C.................................................................................................................................... 11
D ................................................................................................................................... 20
E .................................................................................................................................... 25
F .................................................................................................................................... 32
G ................................................................................................................................... 36
H ................................................................................................................................... 40
I ..................................................................................................................................... 42
J ..................................................................................................................................... 49
K ................................................................................................................................... 49
L .................................................................................................................................... 51
M ................................................................................................................................... 58
N ................................................................................................................................... 62
O ................................................................................................................................... 68
P .................................................................................................................................... 70
Q ................................................................................................................................... 77
R.................................................................................................................................... 78
S .................................................................................................................................... 80
T .................................................................................................................................... 90
U ................................................................................................................................... 96
V ................................................................................................................................... 98
W................................................................................................................................. 102
X Y Z ........................................................................................................................ 103
ANNEX ............................................................................................................................ 105
ANNEX TABLES ............................................................................................................ 106
ANNEX FIGURES ........................................................................................................... 117
ANNEX BOXES .............................................................................................................. 124
List of Annex Tables
Table 1: MOES Provincial and District Organization .................................................. 106
Table 2: Universities and Faculties ................................................................................ 106
Table 3: Teacher Education Institutions ....................................................................... 107
Table 4: Academic Qualifications ................................................................................... 108
Table 5: Ethno-Linguistic Groups and their Population Distribution, 2015 ................ 109
Table 6: EFA National Plan of Action (EFA-NPA) - Objectives, Targets, Activities ... 110
Table 7: Lao National Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for Education .......... 110
Table 8: Lao Adaptation of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) for 2030 ........... 111
Table 9: Official Student/Teacher Ratio Targets by Level of Educational Institution . 112
R. & V. Noonan 2024-08-13
i
, Table 10: National Qualification Framework Standards for Vocational Teacher ....... 112
Table 11: Public TVET Delivery System under Other Ministries and Organizations . 113
Table 12: Official Names of Lao Government Structure .............................................. 114
Table 13: Geographic Administrative Divisions............................................................ 115
Table 14: Lao Adaptation of the International Standard Classification of Education . 116
List of Annex Figures
Figure 1: School System Structure as of School Year 2015/2016 .................................. 117
Figure 2: Alternate School Forms as of School Year 2015/2016 ................................... 118
Figure 3: Double Cohort, Alternate Year Intake Multi-Grade Form ........................... 119
Figure 4: Primary School Cluster (Groupe Scolaire): Core School & Satellite Schools120
Figure 5: Early Childhood Care, Development, and Education (ECCDE) Forms ....... 120
Figure 6: System Reform Period Enrollment in Lower & Upper Secondary School ... 121
Figure 7: Teacher Education Development 2010/11 to 2017/18 .................................... 121
Figure 8: General, TVET, and IVET Programs after Lower Secondary Education .... 122
Figure 9: MOES Organization Chart (April, 2021) ...................................................... 123
List of Annex Boxes
Box 1: Summary Timeline for Major Education Policy Development, from 1990 ....... 124
Box 2: Vientiane Declaration 2016-2025........................................................................ 125
PREFACE significant usage in the broader education sector
discourse outside the immediate project context.
Aims and Scope. This Glossary is intended as an
aid for reading and writing English language UN expert agencies and NGOs are listed but
documents about education development in Laos. consulting firms are not. Universities are listed
It lists more than 3000 acronyms, abbreviations, when the role involves academic research or
terms, expressions, and definitions in official or teaching. Private schools are listed if they often
common usage found in literature specifically appear in the English-language news media.
concerning development of education and Standardization of Terminology. The reader
vocational training in Lao PDR under the purview is encouraged to avoid proliferation of out-of-date
of the Ministry of Education and Sports. or non-standard terms, abbreviations, and acro-
Where usage is primarily associated with one nyms, such as use of FD (Finance Department) to
organization, that fact is noted. No organization refer to DOF (Department of Finance) or TTD
has a monopoly on words, however, and terms (Teacher Training Department) to refer to the
originating in one organizational context can DTE (Department of Teacher Education). We
migrate to others, sometimes with slightly have tried to note out-of-date terminology and to
modified form or meaning. Wherever possible, give references to relevant current terminology.
such variations are noted. Abbreviations and The use of upper- and lower-case letters follows
terms originating in individual projects are standard English lexicographic convention.
entered into the Glossary only if they gain
R. & V. Noonan 2024-08-13
ii
, Note that American English is used here as the simplicity, no such distinctions are made here, and
standard for spelling. Thus an administrative unit with some few exceptions full upper-case
for teaching or research is referred to as “Center”, acronyms are used.
not “Centre”, except for official names given in
Many organizations have “Lao” as part of the
French. Similarly we refer to “programs”, not
official name, e.g., Lao Women’s Union (LWU).
“programmes”.
The acronyms of some Lao organizations,
New terms and acronyms are entered as the however, are modified for use in international
authors find them relevant and their usage signif- context, such as conference presentations. For
icant. A liberal approach has been taken with example, the National Commission for the
regard to meanings. Language is organic, Advancement of Women, abbreviated in the Lao
constantly changing as new concepts emerge and context as NCAW, can be found in international
old concepts fall into disuse. This Glossary is context as LaoNCAW or LNCAW. For the sake
continuously updated, as new abbreviations, acro- of simplicity, we record here only the national
nyms, terms, and expressions come into usage. form, e.g., NCAW.
We aim to achieve both formal accuracy in the use
All document references are to English
of official acronyms and representative coverage
language publications unless otherwise noted.
of the way terms are used in wider practice.
Cross-references are given where needed. Hyper- Some historical terms are in French, which
links facilitate cross-referencing on electronic was used in school system nomenclature and
media. English language documents well into the 1970s
before the Revolution in 1975 and in some
A conservative approach has been taken in
documents even long after the Revolution. Such
retaining older terminology, even long after the
terms in French are listed here only if they appear
terms have fallen into disuse, in order to facilitate
in English language documents. Note also that the
reading of older documents. Whenever possible,
French language is still used in the names of
where old acronyms have officially fallen from
government schools in some areas.
usage, that fact is noted, but the entry is retained.
Statistical Terminology. We find that
Dates are given in the format yyyy-mm-dd.
common statistical terms and acronyms are often
Historical terms and acronyms included here confused by readers and sometimes misused by
are noted as such in square brackets: writers. We therefore include here not only the
acronyms and the names of some indicators but
• [Formerly], referring to relatively recent
also the formal definitions. This document, how-
changes;
ever, is intended only as a glossary, not a technical
• [History], referring to changes in the more reference manual. In all cases we have taken the
distant past, usually before the Revolution in definitions directly from the UNESCO Institute
1975; for Statistics (UIS) website: www.uis.unesco.org.
• [Dated], referring to terms outdated by more Note that not all valid and well-defined
modern terminology but still in use in some statistical indicators commonly found in the
vernacular writing. literature and listed here are defined by UIS. With
some few exceptions, in such cases no formal
Entries within quotation marks (“ ”) are non- definitions are given. Where possible, we
standard or popular expressions, rather than reference what we consider to be the nearest
official or widely accepted scholarly terms. equivalent UIS indicator. For the sake of
Note that in September 2011 the Ministry of standardization of indicators, we urge all parties
Education (MOE) was reorganized and renamed to use only those indicators that are defined by
Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES). In the UIS where possible and to follow the UIS
references below we always use the contempor- definitions rigorously. This may not be possible
aneous acronyms. in the case of household surveys or other studies
that do not access school records.
Some writers mix lower- and upper-case
letters in acronyms (e.g., MoES for Ministry of It should be understood, however, that the
Education and Sports), while others use full UIS technical guidelines are revised from time to
upper-case acronyms (e.g., MOES). For time. Moreover, in some cases an indicator is
R. & V. Noonan 2024-08-13
iii
HISTORICAL GLOSSARY OF
EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT
IN L A O PDR
Continuously
Updated
Since 1995
Latest
Richard & Vithanya Noonan
Update
August 13, 2024 Copyright © Richard & Vithanya Noonan
Vientiane, 2024
Cover: Ari Vitikainen
, Table of Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. i
List of Annex Tables ............................................................................................................ i
List of Annex Figures.......................................................................................................... ii
List of Annex Boxes ............................................................................................................ ii
Preface................................................................................................................................. ii
Glossary ............................................................................................................................. vi
0 – 9 ................................................................................................................................. 1
A ..................................................................................................................................... 2
B...................................................................................................................................... 8
C.................................................................................................................................... 11
D ................................................................................................................................... 20
E .................................................................................................................................... 25
F .................................................................................................................................... 32
G ................................................................................................................................... 36
H ................................................................................................................................... 40
I ..................................................................................................................................... 42
J ..................................................................................................................................... 49
K ................................................................................................................................... 49
L .................................................................................................................................... 51
M ................................................................................................................................... 58
N ................................................................................................................................... 62
O ................................................................................................................................... 68
P .................................................................................................................................... 70
Q ................................................................................................................................... 77
R.................................................................................................................................... 78
S .................................................................................................................................... 80
T .................................................................................................................................... 90
U ................................................................................................................................... 96
V ................................................................................................................................... 98
W................................................................................................................................. 102
X Y Z ........................................................................................................................ 103
ANNEX ............................................................................................................................ 105
ANNEX TABLES ............................................................................................................ 106
ANNEX FIGURES ........................................................................................................... 117
ANNEX BOXES .............................................................................................................. 124
List of Annex Tables
Table 1: MOES Provincial and District Organization .................................................. 106
Table 2: Universities and Faculties ................................................................................ 106
Table 3: Teacher Education Institutions ....................................................................... 107
Table 4: Academic Qualifications ................................................................................... 108
Table 5: Ethno-Linguistic Groups and their Population Distribution, 2015 ................ 109
Table 6: EFA National Plan of Action (EFA-NPA) - Objectives, Targets, Activities ... 110
Table 7: Lao National Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for Education .......... 110
Table 8: Lao Adaptation of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) for 2030 ........... 111
Table 9: Official Student/Teacher Ratio Targets by Level of Educational Institution . 112
R. & V. Noonan 2024-08-13
i
, Table 10: National Qualification Framework Standards for Vocational Teacher ....... 112
Table 11: Public TVET Delivery System under Other Ministries and Organizations . 113
Table 12: Official Names of Lao Government Structure .............................................. 114
Table 13: Geographic Administrative Divisions............................................................ 115
Table 14: Lao Adaptation of the International Standard Classification of Education . 116
List of Annex Figures
Figure 1: School System Structure as of School Year 2015/2016 .................................. 117
Figure 2: Alternate School Forms as of School Year 2015/2016 ................................... 118
Figure 3: Double Cohort, Alternate Year Intake Multi-Grade Form ........................... 119
Figure 4: Primary School Cluster (Groupe Scolaire): Core School & Satellite Schools120
Figure 5: Early Childhood Care, Development, and Education (ECCDE) Forms ....... 120
Figure 6: System Reform Period Enrollment in Lower & Upper Secondary School ... 121
Figure 7: Teacher Education Development 2010/11 to 2017/18 .................................... 121
Figure 8: General, TVET, and IVET Programs after Lower Secondary Education .... 122
Figure 9: MOES Organization Chart (April, 2021) ...................................................... 123
List of Annex Boxes
Box 1: Summary Timeline for Major Education Policy Development, from 1990 ....... 124
Box 2: Vientiane Declaration 2016-2025........................................................................ 125
PREFACE significant usage in the broader education sector
discourse outside the immediate project context.
Aims and Scope. This Glossary is intended as an
aid for reading and writing English language UN expert agencies and NGOs are listed but
documents about education development in Laos. consulting firms are not. Universities are listed
It lists more than 3000 acronyms, abbreviations, when the role involves academic research or
terms, expressions, and definitions in official or teaching. Private schools are listed if they often
common usage found in literature specifically appear in the English-language news media.
concerning development of education and Standardization of Terminology. The reader
vocational training in Lao PDR under the purview is encouraged to avoid proliferation of out-of-date
of the Ministry of Education and Sports. or non-standard terms, abbreviations, and acro-
Where usage is primarily associated with one nyms, such as use of FD (Finance Department) to
organization, that fact is noted. No organization refer to DOF (Department of Finance) or TTD
has a monopoly on words, however, and terms (Teacher Training Department) to refer to the
originating in one organizational context can DTE (Department of Teacher Education). We
migrate to others, sometimes with slightly have tried to note out-of-date terminology and to
modified form or meaning. Wherever possible, give references to relevant current terminology.
such variations are noted. Abbreviations and The use of upper- and lower-case letters follows
terms originating in individual projects are standard English lexicographic convention.
entered into the Glossary only if they gain
R. & V. Noonan 2024-08-13
ii
, Note that American English is used here as the simplicity, no such distinctions are made here, and
standard for spelling. Thus an administrative unit with some few exceptions full upper-case
for teaching or research is referred to as “Center”, acronyms are used.
not “Centre”, except for official names given in
Many organizations have “Lao” as part of the
French. Similarly we refer to “programs”, not
official name, e.g., Lao Women’s Union (LWU).
“programmes”.
The acronyms of some Lao organizations,
New terms and acronyms are entered as the however, are modified for use in international
authors find them relevant and their usage signif- context, such as conference presentations. For
icant. A liberal approach has been taken with example, the National Commission for the
regard to meanings. Language is organic, Advancement of Women, abbreviated in the Lao
constantly changing as new concepts emerge and context as NCAW, can be found in international
old concepts fall into disuse. This Glossary is context as LaoNCAW or LNCAW. For the sake
continuously updated, as new abbreviations, acro- of simplicity, we record here only the national
nyms, terms, and expressions come into usage. form, e.g., NCAW.
We aim to achieve both formal accuracy in the use
All document references are to English
of official acronyms and representative coverage
language publications unless otherwise noted.
of the way terms are used in wider practice.
Cross-references are given where needed. Hyper- Some historical terms are in French, which
links facilitate cross-referencing on electronic was used in school system nomenclature and
media. English language documents well into the 1970s
before the Revolution in 1975 and in some
A conservative approach has been taken in
documents even long after the Revolution. Such
retaining older terminology, even long after the
terms in French are listed here only if they appear
terms have fallen into disuse, in order to facilitate
in English language documents. Note also that the
reading of older documents. Whenever possible,
French language is still used in the names of
where old acronyms have officially fallen from
government schools in some areas.
usage, that fact is noted, but the entry is retained.
Statistical Terminology. We find that
Dates are given in the format yyyy-mm-dd.
common statistical terms and acronyms are often
Historical terms and acronyms included here confused by readers and sometimes misused by
are noted as such in square brackets: writers. We therefore include here not only the
acronyms and the names of some indicators but
• [Formerly], referring to relatively recent
also the formal definitions. This document, how-
changes;
ever, is intended only as a glossary, not a technical
• [History], referring to changes in the more reference manual. In all cases we have taken the
distant past, usually before the Revolution in definitions directly from the UNESCO Institute
1975; for Statistics (UIS) website: www.uis.unesco.org.
• [Dated], referring to terms outdated by more Note that not all valid and well-defined
modern terminology but still in use in some statistical indicators commonly found in the
vernacular writing. literature and listed here are defined by UIS. With
some few exceptions, in such cases no formal
Entries within quotation marks (“ ”) are non- definitions are given. Where possible, we
standard or popular expressions, rather than reference what we consider to be the nearest
official or widely accepted scholarly terms. equivalent UIS indicator. For the sake of
Note that in September 2011 the Ministry of standardization of indicators, we urge all parties
Education (MOE) was reorganized and renamed to use only those indicators that are defined by
Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES). In the UIS where possible and to follow the UIS
references below we always use the contempor- definitions rigorously. This may not be possible
aneous acronyms. in the case of household surveys or other studies
that do not access school records.
Some writers mix lower- and upper-case
letters in acronyms (e.g., MoES for Ministry of It should be understood, however, that the
Education and Sports), while others use full UIS technical guidelines are revised from time to
upper-case acronyms (e.g., MOES). For time. Moreover, in some cases an indicator is
R. & V. Noonan 2024-08-13
iii
