Renovated Bokeo vocational school reopens with German support /#AsiaNewsNetwork

Renovated Bokeo vocational school reopens with German support /#AsiaNewsNetwork
Published 27 May 2019

The official handover ceremony of the renovated Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) School in Bokeo province took place recently. 



The school’s modernisation and extension was financed by grants from the Lao government and the German government through KfW, amounting to nearly EUR 1 million. 

In 2015, the TVET School Bokeo became part of the joint Lao-German VELA-FC Programme (Vocational Education in Laos) which aims to qualitatively and quantitatively improve education and training at vocational schools in Laos. 

Under VELA-FC as well as the Vocational Training Programme, 13 vocational schools have been constructed, extended and modernised in Laos so far. 

In the past decade, the German government has provided more than EUR 50 million to the vocational education sector. Around EUR 25 million have been invested in the improvement of infrastructure and equipment through KfW. 

The support also included the renovation of a kitchen building used as a training facility, the provision of school equipment, and infrastructure improvements. More than 800 students a year will benefit from these improvements. 

Speaking on behalf of the people of Bokeo and provincial authorities, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Prof. Dr Kongsy Sengmany expressed his gratitude and sincere appreciation for the contribution from the Government of Germany. 

Additionally, he recognised the achievement of the VELA-FC project in improving infrastructure as well as providing technical equipment for the TVET School in Bokeo.  

The training school will play an important role as a human resource development institute. In particular, it will produce more qualified people to meet the needs of the labour market in Bokeo and the country as a whole.

Prof. Dr Kongsy highlighted Germany’s support to Laos’ vocational training sector in the course of bilateral development cooperation through KfW and GIZ, which began as early as 1963. 

Thanks to the support of the German government, the enhanced knowledge and better practical skills gained by students will boost their job prospects and enhance the productivity of young people in Laos.

German Ambassador to Laos Jens Lutkenherm said the renovation of the TVET School in Bokeo was an important step towards shaping the future workforce of Laos. 

He also said Germany is committed to further support the TVET sector. This will take place in close collaboration with other development partners and within the framework of European Joint Programming.

As a further chapter in German support to Laos’ vocational sector, the new Vocational Education Financing Facility programme has been established in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Sports. 

Under this programme, another EUR 6.8 million will be provided by the German government through KfW.

http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Renovated_121.php