Education minister Hang Chuon Naron meets with UNICEF representative Will Parks to discuss new strategies for promoting education on November 21. MoEYS
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport met with the Joint Technical Working Group to review and enhance strategies to advance the Kingdom’s education sector.
Education minister Hang Chuon Naron and UNICEF representative Will Parks, who chairs the working group, led the discussions.
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In attendance – both in-person and online – were representatives from various development partners, including the Asian Development Bank, the EU, Japan International Cooperation Agency, NGO education partners, the Korea International Cooperation Association, the World bank, UNESCO and the UN World Food Programme.
“The meeting aimed to review and coordinate the implementation of key priorities and activities, and devise new strategies to allocate resources in alignment with targets for enhancing the education programme in Cambodia,” said a November 21 education ministry announcement.
The dialogue covered the outcomes of ongoing initiatives and strategic plans. These included a progress report on the 2023 budget, advancements in reforms, the establishment of model schools, updates on crafting the new education strategic plan for 2024-2028, the implementation status of the first-grade curriculum and a progress report on various activities undertaken by NGOs.
“The education ministry aims to offer crucial recommendations regarding the implementation of curriculum reform and teacher education programmes. This involves prioritising plans, adopting result-based policies and enhancing and expanding cooperation with development partners and stakeholders. Our collective goal is to achieve significant improvements across the education sector in Cambodia,” said Chuon Naron.
Ouk Chhayavy, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA), voiced some concerns about the current state of the Kingdom’s education system.
She said that instances of abusive language, attacks on individuals, stigmatisation, and the use of violent words on social media all highlighted the need for improvement.
“When our social morality declines, it also leads to a decline in the education system,” she added.
“The collaboration between the education ministry and its development partners to enhance the education system is commendable. I support these initiatives and hope that cooperation with international development partners will contribute to improving education in Cambodia, particularly in promoting social morality,” she continued.
