VIENTIANE, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of National Defense will recruit 2,000 volunteer teachers to serve as soldier-teachers, aimed at addressing teacher shortages and reducing dropout rates in remote and underserved areas.

The initiative focuses on areas with difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, poor transportation, no internet, and little or no access to electricity or healthcare, Lao Economic Daily reported Monday.

Soldier-teachers will step in when regular teachers are unavailable due to illness, maternity leave, official duties, or other personal reasons.

Most recruits will be graduates of teacher training programs. After completing short-term military training, they will be deployed to meet demand in hard-to-reach communities.

This initiative is part of the Lao government's strategy to improve access to education and reduce dropout rates in disadvantaged areas. ■