Education in Cambodia

Education in Cambodia

Current education in Cambodia

Education in Cambodia has been successful in educating children. Kindergarten enrollment has more than doubled since 2007. 82% of students enrolled in primary school in 1997, but 97% in 2017.

Education in Cambodia is governed by the government through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Kingdom of Cambodia at the national level and at the provincial level. The education system in Cambodia consists of kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, high schools, higher education and vocational and non-formal education.

Primary education

Primary education in Cambodia starts at the age of six and lasts for six years. In 2017, Cambodia had 7,144 primary schools and 96 other disadvantaged areas with 46,149 staff teaching 2,022,061 students.

In 1993, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Kingdom of Cambodia divided primary education into subdivisions, including primary schools, general education, as part of the education system. In each category, there are 6 to 7 schools with the aim of improving quality by providing financial and educational resources with networked school management experience and discussions between staff and teachers.

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has identified filing schools as an effective mechanism to provide a direct supply for the community in promoting children's enrollment.

Through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Kingdom of Cambodia, many teaching activities have been organized to strengthen the capacity of education, especially the teaching of teachers and students to be more effective, including environmental education. Schools strengthen weak students and study at the library. Despite modern learning, there is still theoretical and memorable teaching.

Elementary education focuses on basic skills, letters, numbers, and the arts. The main language of instruction is Khmer, not only the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has included the English curriculum from the third grade onwards.

General education

After completing primary education, students must continue their education at the lower general education level or secondary level (lower secondary school) for 3 years. And continue to higher general education or high school (high school) for 3 years or intermediate vocational training organized by the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training. After graduating from high school, students must take a final exam (national level). National Examination Results In 2019, the pass rate was 68%. They can pursue a two-year associate's degree, a four-year bachelor's degree and a seven-year medical degree in higher education (university). However, enrollment rate is still limited to only 13% of university students. All students have the opportunity to enroll in a vocational training program or associate degree.

Gender

Gender equality in enrollment is implemented at the primary and secondary levels. The proportion of female students in 2008 was only 33.8% and increased to 50% in 2017. However, there is still a gap between rural and urban areas. Most ethnic girls are more difficult than other girls. However, the gender rate in secondary school for boys (27%) was lower than for girls (33%).

Reference :

Bohlinger, S. (2019). Environmental Project Analysis: Cambodia. Technical University of Dresden.

Ministry of Women’s Affairs of Cambodia (2014). Gender in Education and Vocational Training. [online] Ministry of Women’s Affairs of Cambodia. Available at: https://www.undp.org/content/dam/cambodia/docs/DemoGov /NearyRattanak4/Neary%20Rattanak%204%20-%20Gender%20in%20Education%20and%20Vocational%20 Training_Eng.pdf

Nhean, M. (2018). Child Friendly School policy brings consistency to Cambodian system. The Phnom Penh Post. [online] Available at: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/supplements-special-reports/child-friendly-school-policy-brings-consistency-cambodian-system

Pellini, A. and Bredenberg, K. (2015). Basic Education Clusters in Cambodia. [online] Journal of Development in Practice. Available at: http://www.kapekh.org/files/report_file/27-en.pdf

UNESCO (2008). Secondary Education Regional Information Base: Country Profile – Cambodia.. [online] Bangkok. Available at: http://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/secondary-education-regional-information-base-country-profile-for-cambodia-en_1.pdf

Uis.unesco.org. (2019). Cambodia | UNESCO UIS. [online] Available at: http://uis.unesco.org/country/KH

10/09/2021 | Admin