PHNOM PENH: The Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, has urged all private institutions to prioritize teaching of the Khmer language.

Speaking at the announcement of the new mandate board and award ceremony for the 2022 Outstanding Teacher Award for teachers and staff of the Education Service Federation of Cambodia on Sunday, 12 February 2023, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet remarked that studying the national language is important for Cambodian students, as it will help to maintain Khmer national identity and it is necessary for Khmer children to know their national language.

"In the past, some foreign schools did not want us to intervene, but I said that it is now obligatory for Cambodian children [to study Khmer]," he said. "There is nothing wrong with letting Cambodian children learn the national language in school, as a duty.”

He added that promoting deeper learning of the Khmer language for students of Cambodian nationality, as well as teaching students about the traditional culture of the Khmer people will ensure that the next generation can maintain traditions and national identity through the gained knowledge.

Lt. Gen. Hun Manet stated that education is important for people of all walks of life and nationalities because human resources act as the main basis for a country’s sustainable development, and in ensuring long-term sovereignty and independence. He explained that there are three things that teachers can do to make students more productive: train students clearly, train students to be motivated and independent, and train students from the heart.

He said that this can be achieved through education and training, both hard skills, such as in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and soft skills related to mindset, motivation, virtue, and morality. The training of these two skills must go hand in hand from primary school to high school.