Financial Hardship Forces Many Lao Students to Drop Out of School
Financial Hardship Forces Many Lao Students to Drop Out of School
VIENTIANE, November 13, 2026 — Financial difficulties and other obstacles are preventing many students in Laos’ capital from continuing their education, with school dropout rates remaining above government targets, according to education officials.
A report released by Vientiane education authorities on November 10 showed that the primary school dropout rate stood at 2.38%, significantly higher than the government’s target of keeping it below 0.4%.
At the lower secondary level, the dropout rate reached 5.35%, exceeding the target of less than 4.5%, according to The Laotian Times.
The problem is particularly serious in some suburban districts. In Sangthong District, approximately 12.35% of lower secondary students had dropped out, alongside 2.70% of primary school students and 9.94% of upper secondary students.
In Pakngum District, the dropout rate reached 8.17% at the lower secondary level and 9.01% at the upper secondary level.
The head of Vientiane’s Department of Education and Sports identified several factors contributing to the problem, including financial hardship, families relocating in search of employment and parents encouraging their children to work and earn money rather than continue their education.
Some students have also lost interest in studying because they struggle to keep up academically or have repeated grades. Other challenges include deteriorating school buildings, difficulties travelling to school and insufficient money to purchase school supplies and uniforms.
Government Plans Support Measures
To address the problem, education authorities plan to provide scholarships and financial assistance to disadvantaged families, as well as additional classes for students who have not completed lower secondary education.
Other proposed measures include renovating school buildings, distributing learning materials, encouraging teachers and students, and strengthening attendance monitoring in cooperation with parents.
For upper secondary education, officials have also proposed introducing additional vocational training to equip students with practical skills that match labour market demands.
Vientiane currently has 1,170 schools, comprising 555 public schools and 615 private schools, serving a total of 215,833 students.
The capital has 4,569 public school teachers and 6,032 private school teachers, according to the report.
The figures highlight the challenges facing Laos in keeping children in education, particularly those from financially disadvantaged families and communities in outlying districts.
