A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Samdech Chuon Nath Library, situated within the National Institute of Education (NIE). The November 29 occasion was presided over by Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, with various stakeholders in attendance.

The ministry explained that the library’s construction is a key component of the Second Upper Secondary Education Sector Development Programme (USESDP 2), funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project is scheduled for completion in February 2025.

Khuon Vicheka, ministry spokesperson, said on November 30 that the primary objective of the library will be to enhance the quality of education at the upper secondary school level. The NIE stands as the Kingdom’s sole institution dedicated to training higher-level teachers.

“Educators who graduate from the NIE are tasked with teaching at the higher levels, instructing students in Grades 10, 11 and 12. To enhance the quality of education at the upper secondary level, the ministry is focused on refining and assessing three key aspects: ministerial-level initiatives, teacher training and the overall enhancement of NIE quality,” she added.

Vicheka explained that the library’s construction aligns with the NIE’s physical infrastructure reforms, in accordance with the ministry’s strategy. Beyond enhancing educational quality at the upper secondary level, the library will respond to the NIE’s teacher training reforms and introduce new teaching methods to instil academic life skills in students, in alignment with the demands of the 21st century.

Kong Samneang, head of the Federation of Education Services in Cambodia, commended the construction of the new library, adding that the facility will contribute to further fostering and cultivating reading education throughout the country.

“At present, the state of reading in Cambodia is satisfactory. Its progress has been steady, due to an increased focus from the education ministry, partner organisations and educational institutions. This library will further fortify these efforts, particularly in aiding students in remote and rural areas who face challenges in broadening their knowledge and enhancing their appreciation for literature and reading,” he said.

The six-storey is expected to cost approximately $2.4 million. It will be equipped with modern facilities and an extensive collection of domestic and international volumes, in line with its aspirations to be the largest educational library in the Kingdom.