Sericulture,
the production of silk, is enormously popular in Laos. Primarily
silk is used in the textile industry in particular to make pa seen
(Lao skirt worn by women). Silk is also used in other types
of clothing but the newest use of silk in Laos is in carpet manufacturing.
Silk production
continues to grow in Laos as more uses are found for it. Sericulture
and the weaving of the silk involves a lot of steps and thus employs
a large segment of the population. For example, farming of the mulberry
leaves and the silkworms to the silk thread processing and dyeing
to the weaving and finally on to the distribution to customers.
All of the steps are labor intensive - which is great in an economy
such as in Laos because it helps to employ large numbers of people.
Seeing the continued
potential of sericulture and its labor use, some NGOs such as the
Consortium have begun projects to help further enhance this industry.
Their particular program is called the Lao Economic Accelerated
Project for the Silk Sector, or LEAPSS. This project is directed
towards increasing employment and alleviating poverty in the provinces
of Huaphan and Xieng Khoung through sericulture.
Education Revolution:
Private Schools
From: USA
- I noticed that when I visited Laos there were a huge number of
private schools and colleges, in particular I saw a lot offering
English language instruction. For a small country such as Laos I
was simply surprised, though pleased, at the number of schools.
You're right.
There are a large number of educational instutions that exist in
Vientiane. The numbers are surprising.
First, it should
be understood that Vientiane does offer the largest and best quality
of education anywhere in the country. This reason is why so many
come from all parts of the country to study in Vientiane.
The largest
growth has been in English schools. In particular those catering
to highschool and college/university students. In Vientiane alone
there are over 50 such schools. There are also bilingual international
type schools for elementary through secondary grades. Moreover there
are also many private colleges that either use English or Lao as
the primary language. There's a lot to choose from.
Private schools
are owned by both Lao individuals and foreign owned/directed. Suffice
it to say, the city of Vte offers a huge variety to choose from.
You asked: how
did this come about? In September 1990 the government allowed private
schools to open. This was because the government saw a definite
need to offer its citizens better education and in particular English
language instruction. But it knew it could not do it alone. Additionally,
the government had set educational and development goals which it
clearly was not meeting. Therefore it allowed private schools to
be established. Both Lao and foreigned owned schools of all types
began popping up throughout the city. In fact, within the first
few years of the government decree allowing private schools, 47
had opened up.
These days,
there is a definite trend in certain types of private schools, in
particular:
- English language instruction (college/vocational)
- Preschool/Kindergarten/Elementary schools
The next trend
in education in Laos, I believe, will be more studies in IT/IS (information
technology / information systems). There seems to be more and more
schools offering this nowadays. IT/IS are still in its infancy in
Laos but you can clearly see that it's growing, along with the use
of the internet.
