Vocational and Technical Education in Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic.  An analysis of a trickle–up approach for economic development and poverty alleviation.

Ken Brunker

Research program: Globalisation and Education

There is a leaning amongst bilateral and multilateral aid agencies that if the people of a developing country are educated then this will facilitate economic growth and poverty alleviation. Hence for the past 30 years aid agencies have poured millions of dollars into PDR Laos supporting educational growth. However the planned growth in the education sector has not occurred, illiteracy is still high, and the goals of economic development and poverty alleviation are not yet realised. This research will examine the complex factors restraining the growth and sustainability of the education sector.  It will also examine the value of vocational education in achieving these goals.