Sibtham has fill in a lot already...
Here is just an extract - bits & pieces - from my book "From
Montaintop to cyberspace" on education system in Laos during my time:

The schooling system was based on the French system with 6 years in
primary school (counting backward as 5th grade, 4th, 3rd, 2nd grade
minor, 2nd grade major and First grade – hong thib uno). At the end
of Primary, the student sit for a exam called Certificate or known
simply as “Cert” which is also used as an entrance to High School. By
1954, there was no more than 15 Hmong who had graduated at Cert level
(and those people would be considered by all as high as a Ph D of
today!).

Secondary school consists of 7 years - for Laos (6emeB, 6eme A, 5eme,
4eme, 3eme, Second – 2nd, 1ere, Terminale) known as Lycee. At the end
of 3eme, there is French exam called Brevet (with the exam paper sent
from Mount Pellier, France) and a Lao version called Diplome. At the
end the high school, all sit for the Baccalaureate which is used to
qualify to study in France or elswhere.

Some high schools that provide only the first four years are known as
College (College de Xiengkhouang (1955–1960) [by 1960, there were
around 50 Hmong students who had gone through or were attending
College de Xiengkhuang] later to be relocated and known as College de
Samthong (1968-75), College de Pakse and Khamouane in 1958). After
completing the College, the students went on to attend the Lycee.

All the Lycee offer classes for the entire 7 years of high school.

Before 1955, there is only one Lycee – Lycee de Pavie in Vientiane -
that provide the 7 years program . Subsequently, Lycee de Pavie was
relocated to a new location as be renamed as Lycee de Vientiane. Two
Lycees were were also set up in Savannakhet (1955) and Luangprabang in
1958, bringing the total to three Lycees in 1960 and 3 Colleges".

As far as the subject is concern, the curriculum has three broad area
- Lettre (Literature), Math and Art. Most people would choose woud be
in the Art & Math section - as far as I know, only Dr Gary Yia Lee
(Lee Yia) was in the Lettre section and there was a talk of the town
that he memorised the entire Petit Larouse! (small French dictionary).

Study at Lycee is tough - getting admitted is very competitive but
once you got into Lycee or College, it is no easy ride. The study is
much tougher than the Britsish/Australia system or 2-3 times more
tougher than the American system. Passing the Baccalaureate (Bac) is
certainly a achievement that many would only dream off. Many Hmong in
french do not even get as far as the Bac! Sibtham can tell you
more....

By 1960, just considered some of these Hmong who are the highest
achievers in Laos: Touby Lyfoung finished 3eme, Tougeu (Bac – being
the highest educated Hmong for his time.), Toulia (Cert) and Lo Foung
(Cert) - he was the highest educated Hmong in the Pathet Lao side
during that early period.
Lis Qhuas Lyfoung – Bac 1ere partie, Lis Choj – Diplome, Lis Vaj –
Diplome).
Moua Geu Mouanoutoua – Cert, Moua Bee Chia Sa – 3me, Tou Pao Ly – 2nd
but no Brevet or Diplome;
Chia Xa Ly and Ly Blong Lynhiavue – pedagogie to teach 6th grade.

Pao

On Jun 19, 3:41 pm, sibtham2 hotmail.com> wrote: