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Laos

Government (Teacher Training) initiative supported by Redd Barna (Norwegian SCF)
Teacher Training Department,
Ministry of Education
Fax: +856 21 212108
Contact: (2001) Mr Chandy Phommabouth
Organisation and activities

Activities began in 2000 and have continued. Initially three schools in three provincial areas were developed and later activities spread to others. The programme reported

“Our main purposes are:
1. To promote health education and school access for all children;
2. To encourage children to help each other in learning and working together;
3. To encourage children to express their ideas and opinions, especially the ethnic minority girls.

We also promote gender and children's rights issues, and inclusive education”. Health based activities took place both in and out of classrooms and the six-step Child-to-Child approach was used. Each of the schools has its own action plan. Health is taught across the curriculum and health topics can be reinforced in any of the subjects on offer. Though considerable progress was reported in involving parents and community workers little joint action between health and education has been achieved.

Training and Materials

Training has been organised for children, community leaders, representatives of school and community organisations, representatives of parent-pupil associations, health workers and Ministry of Education and provincial education service staff. The Department of Teacher Training develops the training package and runs the training workshops, along with Ministry of Education staff.

“The content of training sessions includes the following:
1. The role of community and parents in Child-to-Child activities;
2. Child-to-Child methodology (the six-step approach);
3. Examples of lessons using the Child-to-Child approach;
4. Preparation of lesson plans, production of stories and materials for Child-to-Child activities;
5. Children's involvement and orientation in Child-to-Child activities.”

“We use Children for Health, Listening for Health, Health Promotion in Our Schools, the Child-to-Child resource books, and the Child-to-Child training manual. Our training materials have mostly summarized and translated key information from the above materials, for example, the Child-to-Child reader Can Betsy Stay at School.”

Date: 2001. Updated information awaited.
Source: CtC Website Directory 2000