How are you preparing for the new school year?

The new academic year will start next month but many parents are concerned about school fees and the cost of uniforms, books and pens, which will eat into their limited budgets. Some parents may decide they cannot afford to send their children to school.

Ms Thip Sitthivong, a resident of Sikhottabong district, Vientiane: This is a very difficult time for me because I have three children and they all go to a private school. I think I will have to pay more this term. Most parents have high hopes for their children’s future based on their education and try to make sure their children have a good advantage by ensuring they go to a good school with high teaching standards and plenty of worthwhile educational activities. Schools have improved a lot compared to the past of course but still compare poorly to schools in neighbouring countries. I urge the government to further raise standards so that our education system meets the country’s needs. 
 
Ms Bualoy, a college student in Xaysettha district, Vientiane: I’m very pleased to be returning to college but I won’t have a new uniform this year so that my parents can save money. Now everything costs more and we are all feeling the impacts of higher prices. If anything can be reused we should do so, so that money can be saved for more essential items. I don’t think it’s necessary to have a new uniform, bag, shoes and stationery every year. We can use the things we had before because it saves money for other things that are more important, such as school fees.
 
Ms Lany, a resident of Khammuan province: This term my child will wear the same uniform as last year and continue to use some of the same school supplies as before because we have to save money to pay for other things. In addition, I will move my child from a private school to a government school. The economic downturn means that many people have no work and no money, but the cost of food and almost everything else has risen. I thank all teachers and the government for trying to improve standards but at the same time I urge state-run schools to pay more attention to education and emulate the standards of private schools so there’s not so much of a gap.
 
Ms Done Nernthavong, a student in Saravan province: I’m very glad to be going back to school soon because I will get to see my friends and start a new class. This will be my final year in secondary school. I need to work harder than before because I want to be a doctor, so I have to pass my exams and get good grades. I think we will all have to continue to get used to the new normal, wear face masks, and wash our hands frequently to prevent another outbreak of Covid-19 because this virus is still circulating in Laos.

By Lamphone Pasanthong
(Latest Update August 19, 2022)