Phnom Penh, December 23, 2024: Prime Minister Hun Manet met with A-level students from the Secondary School Certificate Examination and the Level 3 Technical and Vocational Certificate Examination at the Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Center this morning.

During the event, Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, announced the successful administration of the Secondary School Certificate Examination conducted on October 8, 2024. A total of 137,040 candidates registered for the exam, with 74,882 being female, representing 54.64 percent of participants. Of those, 106,351 candidates, or 79 percent, successfully passed the examination. The grade distribution revealed that 2,216 students received A grades, 1,281 of whom were female (57.80%). Additionally, 9,701 candidates earned B grades, 22,675 received C grades, 36,683 were awarded D grades, and 35,076 obtained E grades.

Dr. Hang Chuon Naron also detailed the performance of students in science and social science courses. In the science category, 39,222 candidates took the exam, including 23,650 females. Among these, 28,616 candidates successfully passed, accounting for 72.96%. Moreover, 2,014 students received A grades in science. In contrast, the social sciences category had 95,407 candidates, with 50,279 being female, resulting in a higher pass rate of 81.48% and 202 students achieving A grades.

Regarding the Level 3 Technical and Vocational Diploma Examination, held on September 16, 2024, Dr. Hang Chuon Naron noted that 794 candidates registered, including 319 females. Out of these, 780 candidates passed, yielding an impressive pass rate of 98.73%. Among the graduates, 9 candidates received A grades, with 5 being female.

Notably, 494 schools had students who received A grades, consisting of 353 public schools with 1,540 A-grade students and 141 private schools with 676 A-grade students. Furthermore, students across 25 provincial capitals achieved A grades. In the Level 3 Technical and Vocational Diploma Examination, 5 public schools had 7 A-grade students, 4 of whom were female, while 2 private schools reported 2 A-grade students, one of whom was female.

In his speech, Prime Minister Hun Manet recognized and presented awards to the students who achieved top marks in the Secondary School Certificate Examination. He highlighted a significant increase in student achievements, noting that the number of students scoring A grades rose from just 11 in 2014 to over 2,000 in 2024, calling this growth a point of pride for Cambodia's education sector. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Royal Government working group for providing incentives to encourage academic excellence.

"Graduating from Grade 12 signifies the beginning of independence and personal responsibility,” Prime Minister Hun Manet stated. “While achieving an A is commendable, it marks merely the start of a long journey that demands ongoing dedication and hard work." He congratulated the students, stressing that their success reflects the combined efforts of their schools, teachers, guardians, and their own determination.

The Prime Minister discussed the transformation of the secondary school examination system, emphasizing the need for students and guardians to cultivate a mindset focused on personal accountability and self-reliance rather than depending on external assistance. He underscored that the secondary school examination is not the final goal but a tool to gauge one's abilities in preparation for future endeavors.

Hun Manet addressed the notion of having a "line to make it big," labeling it a pessimistic perspective. He urged students not to feel discouraged if they did not achieve an A, advocating for a positive outlook and the importance of continuous hard work and self-motivation.

"In life, success is not permanent," he noted. "It is vital to persistently strive and not give up." He encouraged students to complete their secondary education with diligence and remain focused on their goals, highlighting that emerging from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status requires a commitment to self-sufficiency and resilience.

“There is no success without effort and overcoming challenges,” he added. “Every skill has its value, and understanding each skill is crucial. Instead of dwelling on past problems, we must collaborate to enhance Cambodia’s future.”

Furthermore, Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed the commitment of the Cambodian People's Party to uphold Khmer as the national language within the education system. He advocated for increased book fairs to promote reading and the Khmer language, emphasizing the importance of maintaining school libraries even in the digital age.

A positive mindset, he insisted, is essential for driving efforts in both academic and professional life. He concluded by calling on guardians and teachers to work together in shaping their children's behaviors for a brighter future.