Prime Minister Hun Manet Champions Education Reform and Human Capital Development at Annual Academic Conference
Phnom Penh, Cambodia - On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Prime Minister Hun Manet, presided over the closing conference for the 2023-2024 academic year and the opening of the new academic year 2024-2025 at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia.
During the conference, Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted the achievements of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, emphasizing progress in education, youth development, and physical education and sports. He noted that the annual conference has provided a platform for addressing challenges and establishing priorities in light of the evolving economic and social context both regionally and globally.
The Prime Minister commended the leadership and civil servants at all levels of the Ministry for their dedication to reforming the education sector, particularly the secondary school diploma examination process. He expressed gratitude to development partners and national and international organizations that have supported the education sector with material, financial, and technical assistance.
Hun Manet reaffirmed his support for the ongoing development of the education, youth, and sports sectors, which align with the Pentagon Strategy - Phase 1 of the Royal Government and the recommendations from His Majesty to enhance the quality of education in public schools from preschool to secondary levels.
He stated that while Cambodia enjoys peace, political stability, and macroeconomic stability—all essential for realizing the Cambodia 2050 vision—the Royal Government has identified five key priorities: People, Roads, Water, Electricity, and Technology. This strategy focuses on developing human capital, a critical element for fostering economic growth and national socio-economic development.
To build strong human capital, the Prime Minister emphasized five priorities:
Strengthening education, sports, science, and technology.
Enhancing technical skills training.
Promoting the health and well-being of the population.
Strengthening social protection and food systems.
Cultivating citizenship within a civilized society grounded in ethics and equity.
The Prime Minister indicated that education reforms are ongoing, with the Ministry of Education designated as the principal authority in this regard. He stated that strengthening grassroots education is fundamental, likening it to laying the foundation for future learning.
He addressed the importance of maintaining educational quality, stating, “The Baccalaureate exam measures ability, but quality must be ensured regardless of its existence.” He identified three key stakeholders in improving school education quality: school principals, staff, and teachers, advocating for a unified educational standard.
Hun Manet called for strengthening the capacity of the District Education Office, which plays a vital role in the education department, and emphasized that teachers should meet specific qualifications in accordance with Ministry regulations. He announced the extension of contract periods for teachers from one to two years and proposed a three to four-year training period for contract primary school teachers.
He addressed the hiring of retired teachers to enhance the educational workforce, offering them salaries alongside retirement benefits, and called for a stringent review of the conditions under which teachers may change positions, emphasizing the impact of retaining quality teachers on student success.
Speaking at the conference, Samdech Maha Bovorathi Hun Manet pointed out the challenges posed by rapid population growth and urged prompt implementation of the established principles. He stressed the importance of nutrition for students, noting the increasing incidence of diabetes among children.
He highlighted the Ministry of Education’s initiatives to strengthen education across all levels and reiterated the importance of ownership in educational investments. Trust between teachers and parents was also cited as essential for enhancing student education.
The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to further strengthen school governance and enhance the education system, ensuring it adapts to shifting national and international contexts. This includes implementing model school standards and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.
He emphasized the need for updating curricula to meet future labor market demands, including enhancing critical thinking, creativity, and soft skills, while also fostering ethical behavior and discipline among learners.
Moreover, Hun Manet directed the Ministry to collaborate with relevant ministries and development partners to improve policy frameworks and education plans comprehensively. He noted the necessity of promoting STEM education and enabling students to acquire 21st-century skills to meet labor market demands.
The PM concluded by urging all higher education institutions to enhance educational quality, emphasizing support for teachers and the establishment of partnerships with industries to align training programs with job market needs. He encouraged the implementation of three educational paths—natural sciences, social sciences, and vocational education—to provide diverse career opportunities for students.
Hun Manet reaffirmed the importance of cooperation among all educational institutions to ensure that curricula meet the necessary standards for students to succeed in their academic and professional endeavors, positioning Cambodia favorably within the regional and global contexts.
