World Bank Support Aims to Raise Performance of Teachers and Health Workers in Laos

The Lao government has secured fresh backing from the World Bank to strengthen the performance of teachers and health workers, with a focus on improving service delivery and outcomes in education and healthcare across the country.

The support comes through a results based financing programme designed to link funding directly to measurable improvements in frontline services. The initiative seeks to address long standing challenges related to learning outcomes, access to quality healthcare, and uneven performance across provinces.

Under the programme, incentives will be provided to teachers and health workers who meet clearly defined performance benchmarks. In the education sector, the emphasis will be on improving teaching practices, student learning levels, and school level accountability. In healthcare, the focus will be on better service quality, especially in maternal and child health, nutrition, and primary care services.

The World Bank said the programme is aligned with national priorities and is intended to strengthen human capital development in Laos. By tying financial support to results, the initiative aims to encourage better planning, monitoring, and service delivery at the local level.

Officials noted that the programme will also support capacity building within government systems, including data collection, performance monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms. This is expected to help authorities identify gaps, track progress more accurately, and ensure that resources reach the areas where they are most needed.

The initiative is part of the World Bank’s broader engagement with Laos, which includes support for education reform, health system strengthening, and social protection. The government has indicated that improving the performance of teachers and health workers is central to raising overall education and health outcomes and to supporting inclusive development.

The programme will be implemented in coordination with relevant ministries, provincial authorities, and local service providers, with regular assessments to ensure targets are met and funds are used as intended.