The sound of traditional Khmer Chai Yam music echoed through the streets as students and locals gathered to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Chan Sovannreach, a 12th-grade student from Bun Rany Hun Sen Prey Poun High School. 

Sovannreach, who recently claimed the top spot in the 2025 National Mathematics Excellence Awards, was welcomed with a parade that travelled through villages, where people cheered in admiration of his extraordinary success.

The Prey Veng province student attributed his triumph to hard work and perseverance. 

“Hard work is the weapon that leads to success,” he said.

His journey to the national mathematics championship title started long before the competition. 

Sovannreach began focusing on mathematics seriously from grade 7, gradually preparing for the national exam from grade 10. By balancing general studies with intense focus on mathematics, he was able to excel in both areas.

“I study from 7 pm to 11 pm in the evening, and then I get up early to continue from 4am to 6am,” he explained.

Alongside his self-study, Sovannreach attended extra maths classes and worked closely with his teachers to refine his skills. 

His dedication paid off when he received the prestigious national award, celebrated with a parade of cars and motorbikes. 

The streets were filled with cheers from the local community, all of them proud of his achievement.

Education minister Hang Chuon Naron presents awards to the Kingdom’s top 30 Khmer literature, mathematics and physics students in grades 9 and 12 on April 30. Supplied

During an award ceremony to honour the Kingdom’s 30 most outstanding students, in Khmer literature, mathematics and physics for grades 9 and 12, Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, explained that each year, the education ministry organises national examinations to select outstanding students across the country. 

The examinations provide an opportunity to encourage them to showcase their abilities.

“They are an opportunity for the ministry to assess priorities and identify necessary interventions to nurture, equip and support outstanding students to become even more capable,” said Chuon Naron. 

“We must continue to identify and support outstanding students to help them become future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” he urged. 

He emphasised the importance of providing ongoing support, academic guidance and training to ensure these students excel at regional and international levels. 

Naron also encouraged students to strive for excellence, maintain their “outstanding” status, and aim for top marks in their exams to contribute to the nation's development.

With their continued commitment, they are paving the way for future generations of students to follow in their footsteps and achieve excellence on the national stage.

Sovannreach took to social media to share his success.

 “On April 30, 2025, the day the candidates who passed the national exam for outstanding students were announced, I learned that I passed the exam for 12th-grade maths, ranking first — an outcome I could never have expected,” he wrote.

In addition to his parents, he expressed special gratitude to three teachers, who continuously encouraged him.

Sovannreach wrote that Chan Sary was the first to help him with maths, Him Butera taught and supplemented his knowledge from elementary school to the national level, while Im Chhunhor helped him prepare for the national exam.

His message to his peers was clear: “Work hard, persevere, and never give up on your dream of becoming a national champion.” 

One of the key factors in Sovannreach’s success was the guidance of his maths tutor, Im Chhunhor, who has been teaching online for the past few years. 

Chhunhor, who is based in Takeo province, worked with Sovannreach and other students from across Cambodia, including those in Kampong Cham, Battambang and Prey Veng, using online platforms to bridge the distance.

“I started teaching online about 2-3 years ago. Over the last few months, I've been teaching Sovannreach and 7 other students, in preparation for the national level exams. Four of them placed well,” he said. 

Despite the challenges of online teaching, Chhunhor has seen tremendous success, with multiple students passing the national exam in recent years.

“In the past, students could only learn physically with teachers close to them. Now, with technology, students can choose teachers they trust and can receive guidance from anywhere,” Chhunhor explained. 

He emphasised that his role is more about guiding students, helping them with study techniques, and providing insight into the exam format. 

His students, he says, are naturally talented and driven, and his job is to supplement their efforts with advice and direction.

Chhunhor’s online math classes have been effective, even though his students are scattered across various provinces.

The ability to provide personalised attention and share resources has helped these students excel. 

In 2023, five of his students passed the national mathematics exam, and in 2024, three more followed suit. 

This year, four students succeeded in the national competition. Chhunhor modestly attributes this success not solely to his efforts, but to the hard work of his students.

“My students are the ones who do the hard work. I just help guide them along the way," Chhunhor told The Post.

His online teaching approach has proven to be highly effective, offering a unique opportunity for students in remote areas to access quality education that they might not otherwise have had.

Chhunhor also credits his success as a teacher to his ability to connect with his students.

“I started writing maths books for high school students preparing for the baccalaureate exam. Then, I opened online classes, and soon, I had students from all over the country joining my courses,” he shared. 

His efforts were recognized when he was ranked second in the country for his teaching at Hun Sen Ang Brey High School in Takeo Province in 2023.

Sovannreach and Chhunhor's stories exemplify the power of hard work, dedication and the potential of online learning to create opportunities for success.