The Private Education Association marked its 10 year anniversary in Vientiane on Saturday at an event that highlighted its achievements since it was founded in 2001.

The gathering, which also welcomed the New Year, was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Ms Sengdeuan Lachanthaboune along with other officials and association members.

Speaking on the occasion, association President Dr Somphet Rattanasim said “The association functions as an assistant to the Ministry of Education and Sports in coordinating and managing private education in Laos.”

The intention of the association was to gather together under one umbrella centres of education from kindergarten through to university level across the country.

“The purpose of the association is to promote solidarity and friendship and to enable teacher to share their experiences,” Dr Somphet said.

The association has also helped flood victims, as well as poor and disadvantaged pupils in rural areas of Vientiane and the provinces.

Ms Sengdeuan praised the association and its members for their many successes over the past 10 years.

“The increasing number of private educational institutions is evident throughout the country. The private sector is not only involved in building business operations but is progressively deverloping the education storey.

She also noted that more and more schools are being built each year, both single and two-storey.

“On behalf of the ministry, I’d like to say that place my hopes eith the association for the development of education in terms of both quantity and quality, so that we eventually rise to regional and internation levels,” she said.

Ms Sengdeuan thanked the association for its contribution to building a skilled workforce and for providing Lao children with a decent education.

Association members from 123 institutions around the country were presented with trophies by Ms Sengdeuan.

Cultural performances were another highlight of the evening and served to make the event meaningful as students from schools within the association demonstrated their sodality and friendship.