Laos Reduces School Week to Three Days Amid Fuel Shortage

VIENTIANE — March 19, 2026: The government of Laos has announced a nationwide reduction of the school week from five days to three days in response to an ongoing fuel shortage, according to The Laotian Times. The policy applies to both public and private educational institutions and will remain in place until further notice.

Authorities said the decision aims to ease pressure caused by energy supply constraints that have disrupted daily operations across the country.

As part of the directive, the Ministry of Technology and Communications has been tasked with exploring the expansion of online learning to maintain continuity in education during the disruption. Schools and higher education institutions are encouraged to adopt digital learning where possible.

Teacher training institutions, vocational schools, and universities have been instructed to reorganize their schedules by introducing full-day classes that combine morning and afternoon sessions, despite the reduced number of school days.

The directive also includes provisions for staff management, with teachers who are not assigned teaching hours to be placed on a rotation system and reassigned to full-time duties as needed.

In the event that the fuel shortage persists, authorities may implement intermediate measures, including broader use of online learning in institutions with adequate technological capacity. Schools lacking the necessary infrastructure may face temporary suspension until further notice.

Source: The Laotian Time-19th March 2026

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Reported by The Khmer Today