Barriers Faced by Akha and Khmu Ethnic Minority Students in Rural Primary Schools in Lao PDR

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to examine the major barriers faced by Akha and Khmu ethnic minority children in attending rural primary schools in Samphan District, Phongsaly Province, and Lao PDR. The convergent parallel mixed method design was employed for an in-depth investigation. The primary data was collected by combining a questionnaire and a focus group interview with parents, teachers, education staff, and community leaders. Samples were selected through non-probability and purposive sampling techniques. The present study found that family poverty, child labour, parental divorce, parental deaths, a lack of learning materials, the language of instruction, a water shortage, parental gender bias, and parental devaluation of education were identified as major barriers to Akha and Khmu ethnic minority children attending rural primary schools.