Ministry of Education Says No Intervention Request Has Been Received on the Conflict in Hun Sen Mondulkiri High School
Phnom Penh: Mr. Ros Soveacha, spokesman for the Ministry of Education, stated that the Ministry has not received an intervention request from the teachers of Hun Sen Mondulkiri High School to change the administration.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Education told EAC News that the issue in educational institutions should be addressed by the schools, which, if necessary, can cooperate with the Provincial Department of Education, Youth and Sports in all 25 provinces.
He said, "The Ministry has not received (intervention request) [….] Generally, the School Management Boards have to solve any issue in the educational institution by taking action according to the practical aspects. If necessary, they can cooperate with the Department of Education, Youth and Sports according to the hierarchical structure of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports."
In a letter dated December 9, the teachers of Hun Sen Mondulkiri High School submitted a letter requesting the intervention of the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, expressing dissatisfaction with the leadership of Mr. Khuth To, the principal of Hun Sen Mondulkiri High School, and demanding that a new vice principal on administration duties be elected instead of Mr. Bun Panha, because this person is abusive, threatening, and extorting money from students, and his appointment was made by the principal alone without voting from school personnel.
The principal of Hun Sen Mondulkiri High School, Mr. Khuth To, in his reply to the EAC news, denied the allegations and said that the appointment of the new vice principal had been recognized by the provincial education department and that this new vice principal is still working under probationary periods.
The principal claims that Mr. Bun Panha has the ability and adequate qualifications to work and can contribute to the development of the school.
He said, "I wouldn't be worried about this event because I've already informed all of the teachers that I'm doing it for the school, not for myself or my household; we appoint capable people to run the school, not for the personal interest of any individual."
