A signing ceremony took place yesterday between World Educations Country Director Mr Mark Gorman and the Ministry of Educations Primary and Pre-School Education Department Deputy Director General Mr Somboun Masouvanh.
The signing ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Education Ms Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun and other guests.
The major goal of the programme is to educate children about the dangers of UXO and to reduce the number of accidents caused by unexploded munitions.
The 18-month primary school education programme is being implemented in the nine most heavily impacted provinces - Huaphan, Xieng Khuang, Luang Prabang, Khammuan, Savannakhet, Champassak, Saravan, Xekong and Attapeu.
This programme is making a difference - saving lives and educating thousands of school children on how to avoid accidents from UXO, said Mr Gorman.
Further, it is important to note that the programme addresses Millennium Deve-lopment Goals by providing enhanced assistance to UXO clearance, survivor assistance and risk education. The programme improves teachers knowledge and capacity so they are equipped to inform children about the dangers posed by UXO.
He offered thanks to the US Department of States Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement which provided the funding for the programme.
Mr Gorman said students and their parents would benefit by learning more about UXO and that children have a right to be protected.
So far, children have learned what they should do if they find any potentially dangerous objects under or on the ground, and who they should tell.
Since the start of the programme in 1996, over 200,000 primary school children have received UXO education and awareness instruction in 1,800 schools.
Additionally, more than 6,000 teachers have received instructions and teaching material on how to use the UXO curriculum.
This year the programme is being extended to the districts of Mok and Thathom in Xieng Khuang province, and Sanamxay district in Attapeu province.
It's hoped the efforts will make the country safer for children and their families in UXO impacted communities.
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