June Kunugi, regional director of UNICEF East Asia and Pacific, has reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to continue supporting Cambodia’s new National Education Program (2024–2028), with the goal of ensuring that all children have access to quality and equitable education.
Kunugi met with Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron and other education ministry officials on March 30, during her an official visit to Cambodia.
During the meeting, both sides discussed key strategic priorities to further strengthen the education system, in line with the 2024-2028 plan, as well as phase one of the government’s Pentagonal Strategy.
Discussions focused on improving foundational learning and learning recovery through strengthened teaching practices, promoting climate-smart education by integrating environmental knowledge and building resilient schools, advancing 21st-century skills to better equip youth for a rapidly changing world, and accelerating digital transformation in education through expanded use of technology to bridge the digital divide.
Kunugi praised the government’s most recent education reforms and highlighted Cambodia’s strong performance in the SEA-PLM (Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics) assessment, noting clear progress in student learning outcomes, as well as its resilience in rebuilding its education system from the legacy of conflict.
At the same time, she pointed out that gaps remain — especially in remote areas — and reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Cambodia’s national program to ensure that “every child receives quality and inclusive education”.
Chuon Naron welcomed Kunugi’s visit and expressed his appreciation to UNICEF for its long-standing partnership and support for Cambodian teachers and students over the past decades.
He highlighted major progress in the education sector over the past ten years, including expanded access to early childhood education, scholarships for disadvantaged students to reduce dropout rates, improvements in teacher qualifications and the rollout of model school standards nationwide.
The minister noted that the Kingdom’s schools are beginning to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into education, although challenges remain, particularly in access to devices, computers, and digital infrastructure in remote areas.
He emphasized the need for continued collaboration among all stakeholders to accelerate an inclusive and equitable digital transformation in Cambodia’s education system.