Advancing vocational education and training for persons with disabilities in Lao PDR: Empowering local initiatives to address a global imperative of inclusion for all

This study aims to examine the vocational education and training (VET) curriculum in information technology (IT) for individuals with physical disabilities in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The study used an outcome-based approach and the Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) evaluation model to evaluate the curriculum's effectiveness. The evaluation focused on several areas: the policies and context affecting the curriculum, the available learning resources, the teaching methods applied, and the results for students in the program. The researchers interviewed 23 key stakeholders in the education system, including policymakers, teachers, former and current school directors, employers, graduates, and current students who had experience with the curriculum. The interviews revealed both strengths and challenges in the current IT-VET curriculum. Strengths included programs that support an inclusive society and recognize the contributions of individuals with disabilities. The study also noted accessible facilities, supportive learning environments, effective curriculum management, and successful student job placements. However, it identified several challenges, including the need for continuous curriculum updates to keep pace with technological advances and labour market demands, a shortage of qualified teachers, a lack of modern teaching equipment, and employer discrimination against graduates with disabilities, which hinders their job prospects. The findings are consistent with international standards such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and they align with related studies in other regions. The study provides key recommendations to improve the VET curriculum, ensuring individuals with physical disabilities receive the necessary support and are not excluded from vocational education and training in Lao PDR and beyond.