Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron decided on August 24 to postpone this year's high school diploma examinations – which were originally scheduled for November 14-15 – to November 21-22.

In a notice, Chuon Naron said the postponement aims to avert disruptions to the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related meetings scheduled for November 10-13 in Phnom Penh because Cambodia is hosting them this year as the ASEAN chair.

The ministry will make public a detailed programme regarding the organisation of the exams that will schedule the dates for taking them, marking the exams and announcing the exam results.

Ministry spokesman Ros Soveacha said that learning and teaching across the country has gotten underway smoothly, as planned within the new normal of education post-pandemic.

“We're now preparing to hold the junior high school and high school examinations,” he said.

He sent a message to junior high school and high school students eligible for the exams, saying that they have to study hard and review their lessons as well as listen to parental advice in preparation for the upcoming exams.

"For the junior high school and high school exams, all candidates must continue to follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education,” he said.

He continued that due to the Covid-19 crisis, the ministry allowed students to learn remotely, focusing on Khmer and mathematics and programming via the national television station and other media sources from the ministry including its Facebook page, Youtube channel and website.

He also noted that the ministry had implemented literacy programmes in factories, prisons and correctional centres to make access to education more inclusive and to help with the rehabilitation of detainees.