VIENTIANE, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Education and Sports is working to improve the quality of education, expand access to basic education, and strengthen student engagement in schools.

The ministry, with support from development partners, has launched the third year of a research study aimed at boosting student engagement through participatory classroom practices, according to a report by Lao Security News on Thursday.

The study tracks students' progress annually as teachers engage in ongoing professional development. Once complete, it will highlight practical classroom strategies that remove learning barriers and enhance teacher support.

This research is a crucial step in understanding how shifts in student attitudes and behaviors influence their sense of belonging and academic achievement. It focuses on identifying classroom practices and school support systems that enable children who speak a different primary language, have disabilities, or face irregular attendance to fully participate and succeed in school.

Under the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026-2030), the Lao authorities aim to boost school enrollment, maintain the lower secondary dropout rate below 8 percent, and produce 50,000 graduates from vocational and technical training programs over the next five years. The education ministry has also introduced key reforms to modernize curricula, strengthen human resources, and improve teacher welfare nationwide. ■