For Immediate Release
Press Release
Vientiane Capital, August 12, 2024 — To enhance children’s literacy, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES), with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), successfully launched the first Lao Language Children’s Book Catalog and a corresponding National Children’s Book Review Report. The development of the Catalog, a strong collaboration between MOES, the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, the Lao Board on Books for Young People, and the USAID-funded Learn to Read project, marks a significant milestone for literacy in Lao PDR.
The event was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silinthone Sacklokham, Director General of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Education and Sports, and Ms. Phetviengkhone Sayasane, USAID’s Senior Education Specialist, Ms. Norkham Souphanouvong, Room to Read’s Country Director, and Mr. Kamal Hossain, Learn to Read’s Chief of Party. The Catalog is designed to be a helpful resource for government officials, educators, librarians, communities, and families, offering a comprehensive list of MOES-approved children’s books to inform and streamline book purchasing. Local publishers’ works are also showcased, promoting the growth of the local publishing industry.
The interactive workshop featured a detailed presentation of the Children’s Book Catalog, which lists the books by grade level and genre and includes a brief synopsis. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silinthone noted that a core feature of the Catalog is inclusivity. The 594 children's books listed in the Catalog reflect diverse characters and cultural backgrounds to ensure that the selected books resonate with all children in Laos.
The workshop also shared key findings from the National Children’s Book Review Report, highlighting key areas for growth in the children’s book publishing sector, including the importance of creating more children’s non-fiction and folklore titles.
Ms. Phetviengkhone encouraged the participants to explore the Catalog, share it widely, and contribute to its ongoing impact. The workshop provided an opportunity for attendees to discuss efforts to ensure the Catalog’s widespread use and sustainability.
The Catalog is now available for public use. The USAID Learn to Read project will continue to support the Government of Laos’s efforts to update and expand the Catalog to ensure it remains a useful, relevant resource.
Thathsaphone Keomoungkhoun/USAID