PHNOM PENH: Minister of Education Hangchuon Naron said that the Ministry of Education has not yet officially decided which grades will qualify students to become teachers.

Speaking at a press conference on October 27, the Minister addressed students’ concerns about the upcoming High School Diploma Exam to be held on November 6-7. Currently, students must pass the exam to be eligible for the Teacher Exam. The Minister said they are considering lowering the requirements so that those who do not do well on the Diploma Exam will still be able to take the Teacher Exam, but that the decision has not been officially made.

“The principle of the Royal Government is to have an exam so that students show their ability. Sometimes they take the Diploma Exam and they lose some points,” he said. “If they try to study and take the Teacher Exam, the score may be better because the Teacher Exam is different from The High School Diploma Exam.”

The Minister said that the decision must be carefully weighed before changing the requirements.