- Photo: National University of Laos file.
VIENTIANE: The noticeable decline in the number of final-year students sitting for final exams and the overall university enrolment has drawn increasing public concern.
The number of students registering to take the National University of Laos (NUOL) examination has been steadily decreasing, from 15,000 in 2017 to 5,457 in 2024, according to the latest statistics from the NUOL.
In the 2022-2023 academic year, a total of 11,976 people registered to take entrance exams at the university. In the 2023-2024 academic year, a total of 7,441 students sat for entrance exams.
Khamvilay, a mother of two living in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province, expressed to Xinhua the importance of education for the future of the nation.
"In order to get sufficient money for my family, my husband and I have to get up early and work until late every day.
"We put away a small amount of money each day with the simple goal of ensuring that our children can access quality education," said Khamvilay, a food vendor in Luang Prabang province.
She said higher education is the key to supporting the country's development, adding that education is an essential part of every child's development as knowledge and skills are needed to stimulate a better future with more opportunities.
The Lao Ministry of Education and Sports has expressed serious concern over the decline in student applications, attributing this trend to the country's current economic situation.
The escalating cost of living, inflation and the devaluation of the local currency have collectively impacted the students' pursuits of higher education.
The inflation rate in Laos dropped to 24.3 percent in August, down from 26.1 percent in July, according to a report released by the Lao Statistics Bureau on Wednesday (Aug 28).
Education costs, which have surged by 29.7 percent, are a significant factor in this inflation.
The limited job prospects post-graduation also discourage many from pursuing university studies.
Many people see no point in paying for a university education if it does not provide them with a job.
Bounxang, a 19-year-old student from Luang Prabang, said there are several reasons for the decline in the number of university applicants.
He said, "I think many young people are unable to continue their education because they can't afford to pay the fees, especially during these times of economic hardship."
"In fact, it's quite expensive to finance a university education because of the high tuition fees that must be paid every year, in addition to other expenses. I believe that more people are concerned about getting enough money to buy food every day rather than paying tuition fees."
He said the government needs to urgently address the problem because education is important for producing skilled workers and technicians.
Speaking at a meeting to review the status of education in the 2023-2024 academic year held earlier this August, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith urged all government agencies, social organisations and businesses to continue to promote education, saying that education is crucial for all aspects of development.
The Lao Ministry of Education and Sports is working to ensure that people get the education and training they need to meet the country's development goals and that there is an adequate workforce to serve the agriculture, industry and service sectors.
To encourage university attendance, the National University of Laos has announced scholarships in many fields of study, which are supported by various programmes.
The Lao government will work on preparation for the start of the new school year and tackling the issues of teacher shortages, school dropouts and other educational challenges, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said at a press conference in August. - Xinhua
