SEAMAO RECAM-University Joint Seminar: “Searching for Quality MathematicsCurriculum Framework on the Era of Globalization”

National Mathematics Curriculum in Lao PDR

Presented by : Mr. Outhit THIPMANY
Research Institute for Educational Sciences (RIES),
Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao PDR.

16/02/2016

University of Tsukuba
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Contents
1. Introduction
2. Mathematics Curriculum
3. Issues and Direction ofCurriculum Reform2

1. Introduction
Curriculum Development
3 eras of curriculum development– 1976: Educational Policies• One-step forward for education• Education as Nationalism, Scientism, and Public Domain– 1994: Response to National Economic Change and Advance ofInternationally Information Technology• National Education is step-by-step equivalent to internationallyeducation standard– 2007: Pertaining to National Economic Development Plan toward 2020
• Strategic Plan on Human Resource Development 2020
• Strategic Plan on Educational Development 20203

1. Introduction (Con.)- National mathematics curriculum is an official document,
and is reference for all mathematic teachers to define thecontents, teaching/learning objectives and assessment
standards.
- National mathematics curriculum provided the general
concepts for Mathematics textbooks and assessment
standards.
- In Laos RIES responsible for developing curriculum,textbooks and teacher’s guides, and assessment standards.
- Developer team for the curriculum, textbooks and teacher’sguides consists the mathematics specialists from
DPPE,DSE, DTT, NUOL, General Schools, and RIES.
-In Laos have national assessment or graduation examination isheld at the end of primary (grade 5), lower secondary (grade 9) andupper secondary education (grade 12).
The end of upper secondary have the national test.
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1. Introduction
Laos education system
25 years
oldHeath, Master and Doctor programs
UniversityHigher education(3-4 years)

Upper sec. (3 years)

Vocational(2-3 years)

Lower secondary (4 years)
Primary (5 years)
3 yearsoldNFE


Kindergarten (3 years)
Child (3 months - 3 year old)
 School system is 5-4-3-4(Start from 2010)
 Primary education is compulsory52. Mathematics Curriculum
Time- Time Allocation for Mathematics in Elementary Education
GradesStandard time of a class period

1234545 min
45 min45 min45 min45 minStandard number of class periods per year andper week (year/week)
99/3
132/4
165/5
198/6
198/6

35 weeks/year- Time Allocation for Mathematics in Lower Secondary Education
Grades6789

Standard time of a classperiod
50 min50 min50 min50 minStandard number of class periods per year andper week (year/week)
132/4
132/4
132/4
132/4

33 weeks/year62. Mathematics Curriculum
Time- Time Allocation for Mathematics in Upper Secondary Education
Grades Standard time of aclass period
10111250 min
50 min50 minStandard number of classperiods per year and per week(year/week)
136/4
136/4
136/4

34 weeks/year7

2. Mathematics Curriculum
The Characters of National mathematics curriculum- National mathematics curriculum consist as Goals/Objective, Time,Contents and basic standards learning, Teaching Methods, Teaching
Materials, and Evaluation.
- The goals of the mathematics curriculum education in Laosis to ensure Students also develop mathematical knowledge
and skills to apply in other subjects, and to use in higher
levels of study, and also emphasized knowledge, skills andattitudes.
-The contents• primary education has 4 strands as Numbers, calculations,Geometry/Data, and Measurement;• lower education has 3 strands as Arithmetic/Algebra, Geometry andStatistics; and• upper secondary education has 4 strands as Algebra, Analysis,
Probability and Geometry.
82. Mathematics Curriculum
Learning standard of National mathematics curriculum- For example the learning standards in mathematics for lower secondary
education
Domain: Arithmetic/Algebra
Sub-domain: Number sense
Topic: Power
Sub-topic: Calculation of Powera) Presenting the powerb) Properties of powerc) Simplifying of power
Learning Standard:
1. Discussing the terms bases and exponents
2. Presenting the powers with integral bases (excluding base 0) and whole
number exponents
3. Calculating the powers with integral bases (excluding base 0) andwhole number exponent
4. Using properties in order to simplifying of expression powers
93. Issues and Direction of Curriculum Reform-The objective is not clear-There is the problems about domain connection (School stage, Grade,Subject, Contents)-Learning standards is not clear-Revise the objective, Domains, and Learning standards

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- Main contents (Domains) for Primary Education
Japan

Laos

The mathematics subject has 4 parts
such as:A. Numbers and calculations,
B. Quantity and Measurements,
C. Geometrical figures, and
D. Quantitative relations

The mathematics subject has 4 parts such as:
CurrentNew
1. Numbers
1. Numbers and Calculation
2. Operations
2. Geometrical figures
3. Geometry/Data
3. Measurement
4. Measurements
4. Quantitative relations- Objectives for Primary Education
Japan
••
•
•

Interests/ Attitudes/ willingness
Mathematical thinking,Presentation Skills
Knowledge and Understanding

Laos•
••

Current
Knowledge
SkillsAttitudesNew
1. knowledge
2. Mathematical thinking
3. Skills
4. Attitudes
11References- Mathematic curriculum in Laos (2007, 2009, 2010)- Current Mathematics textbooks for primary and secondary education- Onekeo NUANNAVONG (2008)12

Thank you very much

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