Children enjoy using the new Grade 3 math textbooks.

Japan supports Lao primary schools to mark International Day of Mathematics

More young Lao students are counting with confidence while upgrading their study skills, resulting from close cooperation with Japan on International Day of Mathematics, which is celebrated annually on March 14.
Committed to contributing to the improvement of the quality of primary education in Laos, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is set to continue its wide-ranging support for Lao mathematics and teacher education beyond the life of JICA’s Teaching and Learning Mathematics (iTEAM) project, which is set to officially end this month.
A student-centered approach is key to the brand new Lao primary mathematics curriculum developed by iTEAM.
Each learner benefits from the development of practical problem-solving capacities through mathematics lessons that are designed to engage young minds.
JICA has been supporting the development of such “problem-solving style lessons” with its partners around the world.
In Laos, the iTEAM revised the primary (grades 1-5) maths curriculum and new textbooks and teachers’ guides.
The new textbooks were developed by the Research Institute for Educational Sciences (RIES) Math Team members, together with Japanese maths experts and a Japanese textbook publishing company. Since 2018 the new textbooks and teachers’ guides have been introduced in one grade each year.

Former Education and Sports Minister, Mrs Sengdeuane (centre) during the handover of Grade 1 textbooks.

Dr Outhit Thipmany (centre left) and Japanese experts discuss the content of maths textbooks.

The Grade 5 text will be used in primary schools nationwide from September this year.
Since the new textbooks have been used in primary schools, the iTEAM has worked together with the Department of Teacher Education, Ministry of Education and Sports, and teacher training college instructors to develop the new mathematics curriculum, syllabi, and lesson plans.
The new materials have been strengthening the knowledge of Lao trainee teachers in mathematics and they have learned how to use the new textbooks through curriculum induction training, dramatically improving mathematics teaching in Lao primary schools.
However, this initial training alone may not solve the concerns that arise during lessons, such as the right way to use the textbooks, how to improve teaching methods, and how to improve children’s learning.
These concerns were discussed in an attempt for teachers to find possible solutions.
The iTEAM has been supporting instructors and demonstration school teachers at teacher training colleges to conduct collaborative learning in order to make the best use of the new textbooks and teachers’ guides.
“The iTEAM project has helped us to strengthen the teaching of mathematics and provide better quality education for learners, the Director General of the Department of Teacher Education, Mr Keth Phanhlack, said.
“Regarding teaching methodology, teachers used to be a knowledge provider or the centre of the teaching approach, but now we are focusing on a learner-centered approach. Teachers give directions and suggestions to students about how to think critically and how to solve problems,” he added.
“Through this project, our team can learn not only the content but also useful ways to use images and page arrangements, as these experts in mathematics education and textbooks worked between Japan and Laos,” RIES Deputy Director General, Mr Outhit Thipmany, said.
“We can fully learn how to develop the textbooks and teachers’ guides,” he added.
A Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer at the Ban Khun Teacher Training College, Ms Chiaki Kinjo, discussed the strengths of the new approach.
“The new textbooks are quite similar in style and flow to textbooks in Japan, so it makes it easy to offer advice to Lao counterparts, based on my experience as a maths teacher.”
“Also, my Lao colleagues say that, compared to previous textbooks, these are more attractive to students with many illustrations and figures. The teachers’ guides introduce many perspectives and ways to guide students to think and learn through practice,” she added.
While a milestone is being passed with the iTEAM wrapping up at the end of this month, education in Laos has the potential for further expansion in terms of quality and quantity.
JICA trusts that the results of this Laos-Japan cooperation will serve as a great first step for more children to enjoy learning mathematics, acquiring the skills, abilities and confidence necessary to successfully embrace education as a gateway to better livelihoods.
JICA has been providing technical support to Laos in the fields of primary mathematics and science education since 2004. This support complements infrastructure development, including the construction of more than 300 schools.
To develop the new primary mathematics curriculum, textbooks and teachers’ guides, and to provide primary school teachers with training, the iTEAM has been working with the Ministry of Education and Sports since 2016.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update March 14, 2023)