The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has announced the selection of public general education schools to apply for local content servers (LCSs), in a move aimed at enhancing digital teaching and learning, particularly for research purposes.

The ministry announced on December 13 that a digital school system has been developed, as part of the Liechtenstein Development Service (LED) project. The system provides digital educational resources freely accessible to teachers, students and the public, aligning with the government’s policy of promoting lifelong learning.

“The project has facilitated the installation of 10 LCSs in public schools. These servers, accessible without the internet, are a research aid for teachers and students at each educational institution. The content server will serve 10 qualified, high-performance and sustainable public high schools,” stated the ministry.

Kim Sethany, standing secretary of state for the ministry, highlighted in the announcement that the digital content storage device allows offline access, reducing reliance on internet connectivity. This is particularly beneficial for schools with limited or no internet access.

“The digital school system is a key component of the government’s policy to foster lifelong learning and aligns with the ministry’s vision,” she added.

Kong Samneang, head of the Federation of Education Services in Cambodia, commended the ministry for developing innovative strategies to enhance digital access in public schools, especially those facing challenges in utilising the systems effectively.

“At the same time, the ministry should consider extending such support to both public and private schools, to further improve the quality of education for students,” he suggested.

The ministry has invited applications from educational institutions facing internet challenges and keen to advance digital education. To apply for a local content server, schools must complete an application form following specified guidelines.

To be eligible for a server, an institution must be a public secondary school with over 500 students and include IT as part of their curriculum. The school should possess either a computer lab or a minimum of 20 tablets for student use, along with reliable electricity supply.

According to the ministry, the schools should have a library regularly used by students. The management and information and communications technology (ICT) trainers need to possess a fundamental understanding of integrating digital educational content in classrooms and demonstrate a willingness to share their knowledge. 

Priority will be given to public schools in remote areas with limited internet access.

The ministry has confirmed that public schools interested in participating in the initiative should reach out to the ministry’s IT department. The application period is open until January 7, 2024.