A new carrier rocket made its maiden flight in China on Sunday, sending a satellite into its planned orbit.
The rocket is known as TL-2 Y1 and blasted off at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 4:48 p.m. (Beijing Time).
The flight will verify the overall program of the rocket and the coordination between the systems and obtain the parameters of the flight environment.
Source: Lao News Agency
The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for June 2023 delivery on London’s ICE surpassed US$85 per barrel for the first time since March 7, according to trading data.
As of 1:09 a.m. Moscow time on Monday, the price of Brent oil went up by 6.43% to US$85.03 per barrel.
By 1:12 a.m. Moscow time, Brent was trading at US$85.41 per barrel (6.46%). The price of futures contracts of WTI crude oil for May 2023 delivery went up by 6.21%, to US$80.37 per barrel.
Source: Lao News Agency
The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), with support from the Australian government through the Basic Education Quality and Access in the Lao PDR (BEQUAL) programme, is establishing a new nationwide system for teachers’ Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
CPD will be delivered by principals, deputy principals and teachers selected to be part of Internal Pedagogical Support (IPS) teams in each district. The goal is to provide ongoing support to teachers to improve the quality of teaching in primary schools, and ultimately to improve student learning outcomes.
Director General of the Department of Teacher Education (DTE) Mr Keth Phanhlack, said: “Teachers play a key role in the implementation of the new curriculum and the successful learning of students. Education research has shown that teaching quality and school leadership are the most important factors in improving student learning outcomes. For teachers and educational leaders to be highly effective, they need to continually expand their knowledge and skills. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of teachers is key to the success of students. The Ministry of Education and Sports, with support from the Australian Government, will establish IPS teams based at the school and cluster level and build their capacity to respond to teacher’s CPD needs.”
In February and March, a series of IPS team selection workshops were organized for 30 target districts in 7 target provinces – Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, Bokeo, Huaphan, Xiang Khuang, Savannakhet, Khammuan.
The workshops were held in the 3 Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) responsible for those areas (Luang Namtha TTC, Khang Khay TTC and Savannakhet TTC).
The selection committees were composed of representatives from District Education and Sports Office for each of the 30 districts.
The selected IPS teams consist of teachers (60%), deputy principals, and principals (40%).
The selection criteria for IPS team membership were based on the characteristics of good trainers such as primary teaching experience, subject content and new curriculum knowledge, commitment to improving teacher quality, and commitment to supporting fellow teachers in their classrooms.
The selection committees were also asked to consider gender balance, which was achieved with great success. Across all district teams, 56% are women and all 30 districts achieved the minimum target of 50% women.
Mr Keth added “The Teacher Training Colleges will lead on building the capacity of the Internal Pedagogical Support teams to provide high quality pedagogical support to teachers. Australia, through the BEQUAL programme, will provide the training and support required by the Teacher Training Colleges to carry out this role.”
The first round of IPS team training will start in April, with the training of trainers located in the three target TTCs. Technical teams from the TTCs will cascade the training to IPS teams in June. The training will establish a shared understanding of DTE’s vision for IPS teams and the CPD system, and build the knowledge and skills of participants in training facilitation, adult learning principles, how to conduct school visits, using formative assessment to inform professional development, how to facilitate professional dialogue with a teacher, peer observation, learning circles, and how to identify and respond to an individual teacher’s CPD needs.
The second round of training will happen in July and August. The IPS teams will start to support the primary teachers in their local areas during the 2023-24 school year. They will carry out primary school visits and provide one-to-one advice to teachers to help them improve their teaching skills and knowledge. They will have a wide range of CPD tools and techniques at their disposal such as classroom observations, co-teaching, learning circles and more.
Source: Lao News Agency
Military Headquarter of Son La, People’s Army of Vietnam, on Mar 31 launched a 9-month Vietnamese language training course for military officers and soldiers of provincial military headquarters in nine northern provinces, Division No. 2, Division No. 3 and Sergeant School No. 1 of Laos.
The launching ceremony was participated by Vice Standing Chairwoman of the Son La Provincial People’s Committee Trang Thi Xuan, Commanding Officer of the Son La Provincial Military Headquarter Snr. Col. To Quang Hanh, leaders of Son La’s departments and sectors, Defense Counselor of Lao Embassy in Vietnam Col. Vongxay Inthakham, and trainees.
During the nine-month course, the Lao officers will learn listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills as well as Vietnamese military terms.
The trainees will also participate in field trips to historical sites and famous landscapes in Son La to learn about Vietnam and its people.
Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chairwoman of the Son La Provincial People’s Committee Trang Thi Xuan asked the Son La Provincial Military Headquarter to closely coordinate with departments and sectors to ensure the best living and learning conditions for the Lao trainees and make sure the training programme involves exchange of lessons and experience on socio-economic development, national defence and public security, social issue settlement, and is realistic to the current situation in Laos, thus contributing to expanding the friendship between the military commands of Son La and its counterparts in northern Laos.
Source: Lao News Agency
The top American business magazine, Forbes, has published an article calling Laos the most charming country in Southeast Asia.
According to Forbes, while the country may lack a tropical coastline, it makes up for it with scenic mountainous landscapes, flourishing rice paddies, and the stunning Mekong River that flows through its land.
Forbes praised Laos for its “fascinating array of cultural attractions, outdoor experiences, and timeless charm,” as it is largely untouched by commercial development.
The article highlighted Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, as “an overlooked jewel of Southeast Asia” for its rich heritage and traditions, including the daily alms-giving ceremony where locals offer sticky rice, crackers, or cookies to monks, which remains an enduring attraction.
The capital city of Vientiane and the popular tourist town Vang Vieng were mentioned in the article as well which offered up food and hotel recommendations for the discerning traveler alongside interesting activities one could indulge in.
Source: Lao News Agency
Mayor of Vientiane Atsaphangthong Siphandone has presented an ambulance and equipment worth over 650 million kip, donated by Xiengkhuan Buddha Park, to Vientiane Rescue 1624 represented by its President Mr Lamnguen Vongphachan.
Held on Apr 1, the handover ceremony was witnessed by relevant officials of both sides.
Expressing thanks to the donor, Mr Lamnguen Vongphachan assured the donor that the vehicle will be properly looked after and used to its full potential to save the lives of victims of road accidents, especially during the celebration of Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year).
Vientiane Rescue 1624 provides emergency services in six districts across the capital city including Xaysettha, Pakngum, Xaythany, Hadxaifong, Chanthaboury and Sikhottabong.
The rescue team, staffed with more than 100 volunteers, currently has 12 ambulances and all of them operate around the clock.
Source: Lao News Agency
