As students filed back into schools yesterday to kick off the 2015-2016 academic year, Prime Minister Hun Sen broadcasted some televised tough love, telling students to take their studies seriously for the good of the nation.

“Students must think of the future of our nation; they must be actively contribute, because you are the human resources that the country needs, and the hope for developing and building the country to become a developed country,” the premier said in the clip on state-run TVK before admonishing students to stay away from drugs and obey traffic laws for good measure.

Reforms have earned the Ministry of Education praise in the last two years, but some still point to problems within the nation’s educational system.

Sam Sambath, father of two primary school-aged children, said teachers’ low salaries were still cause for concern.

“I’m worried that the teachers can’t focus on teaching due to their need [to make a] living,” he said.

Ministry spokesman Ros Salin said yesterday that steps were being taken to incrementally increase teachers’ salaries.