Singapore University of Social Sciences

Educational Opportunities and Challenges in Vientiane

Educational Opportunities and Challenges in Vientiane (OEL318)

Synopsis

The main objective of OEL318 is to provide students with the conceptual tools and learning experiences to develop a deeper understanding of educational opportunities and challenges in Laos. This objective will be achieved through a combination of team-based experiential learning, e-learning, classroom activities, and participation in an overseas trip to Vientiane, Laos. As one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, an inclusive and quality education is seen to be the key to break out of the poverty cycle, and to empower people to have a more sustainable and healthy lifestyle. While the government of Lao PDR recognises the importance of education in achieving national development goals and has made significant progress in eradicating illiteracy and enhancing equity in education, there are still many challenges facing the provision of equitable educational opportunities between genders, ethnic groups and social classes. Comparatively, the Singaporean government has placed enormous resources and emphasis on education since independence, making it one of the most highly regarded in the world, but educational equity remains a challenging issue. This course urges students to critically analyse the complexity in achieving quality education in the context of Laos and Singapore, through comparing how historical, political, social and economic factors shape educational development, ideologies, and policies in both countries. By working directly on education-related projects in Laos and Singapore, students will not only learn about the challenges and opportunities in educational development in both Laos and Singapore, but also get to reflect critically on the relationship between such developments and educational equity.

Level: 3
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: Every July

Topics

  • Experiential learning
  • Key historical and political developments in Laos
  • Educational opportunities and challenges in Laos, and how the historical, political, social and economic factors shape the pursuit of educational equity in the country
  • Educational opportunities and challenges in Singapore, and how the historical, political, social and economic factors shape the pursuit of educational equity in the country
  • Preparation and design of the overseas experiential learning project: service-learning activities, liaising with local community partner(s), safety and emergency response, cultural sensitivity
  • Preparation and design of the local experiential learning project: service-learning activities, liaising with local community partner(s), safety and emergency response

Learning Outcome

  • Identify challenges and opportunities of educational development in Laos
  • Examine the factors influencing the pursuit of educational equity in Laos
  • Explain the roles of governments and communities (local and international) in addressing educational challenges and opportunities and in achieving educational equity
  • Apply social scientific perspectives to relate educational opportunities and challenges to educational equity
  • Deconstruct preconceptions about Laos and its approach towards addressing educational challenges and opportunities and achieving educational equity
  • Construct new approaches to address educational challenges and opportunities and educational equity in Laos and in Singapore that considers the native contexts
  • Examine how the assumptions behind new approaches shape the way selected issues are addressed
  • Verify new approaches with stakeholders
  • Appraise team members’ roles and responsibilities in shaping team-based experiential learning
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