Laos Cuts School Week to Three Days Amid Fuel Shortage

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Laos has temporarily reduced the school week from five days to three, as the government moves to ease pressure on households and transport networks amid an ongoing fuel shortage.

The Prime Minister’s Office approved the measure on 19 March following a proposal from the Ministry of Education and Sports. 

All public and private schools nationwide are required to adjust their schedules immediately, with the policy remaining in effect until further notice.

Under the new arrangement, pre-primary and general education schools will hold in-person classes three days per week. 

The remaining two days will be non-teaching days, though schools are still required to complete the full curriculum, with the academic calendar extended if necessary to make up lost time.

Vocational institutions and universities will also move to three teaching days per week, but with full-day sessions covering both morning and afternoon. Teachers without scheduled classes on a given day will rotate to remain on duty.

If the fuel situation worsens, the government has indicated that schools may shift to online learning. Institutions with adequate equipment and internet access will move to remote teaching, while those without may temporarily suspend classes altogether. 

The Ministry of Technology and Communications will be assessing internet quality and improving access, including providing basic equipment where needed.

Authorities have urged all educational institutions to comply with the new policy and ensure that students’ learning remains as uninterrupted as possible.

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