Laos Urges Students to Cycle, Use Public Transport as Schools Resume Full Week

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Laos is encouraging students to use bicycles and public transport to save fuel, as schools return to a full five-day week.

The Ministry of Education and Sports issued the guidance on 20 March, calling on students, parents, and teachers to change how they travel to school to manage ongoing fuel challenges affecting daily life across the country.

Students are encouraged to ride bicycles where possible, especially for short distances. Public transport is also recommended, while electric vehicles are suggested in areas where they are available.

This comes as the government announced that pre-primary, general, and vocational schools will resume a normal five-day schedule. This follows a quick policy change after an earlier decision on 19 March to cut school days, in a revised notice issued just one day later on 20 March, the government reversed the measure for most schools.

Under the new update, only higher education institutions including universities and colleges will continue with a reduced schedule. These institutions will hold classes three days per week, with full-day sessions. The policy will take effect from April 2026.

In addition, higher education institutions that have the capacity may adopt a hybrid learning model, combining in-person and online classes, with systems in place to track student participation. Teachers without scheduled classes will rotate to remain on duty. 

The ministry said the measures aim to reduce pressure on fuel supplies while keeping education on track.

Officials have asked schools nationwide to follow the new policy and report progress, as the government continues to monitor the situation and consider further changes if needed.

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