The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has set the dates for the national junior and senior high school diploma exams, on October 24 and November 14, respectively.

Ministry spokesman Ros Soveacha made the announcement at an August 16 press conference on the ministry’s five-year achievements, organised by the Government Spokesperson Unit at the Council of Ministers.

“The ministry is now focused on preparing the national exams. The results of the Grade 9 exams are expected to be declared on October 31, with the Grade 12 results presented on December 7,” he said.

Soveacha urged all students to focus on studying hard for the upcoming exams, both in their classes and independently, and also reminded them to listen to their parents’ advice.

Regarding the current situation of the education sector, he said schools are now operating smoothly nationwide in accordance with the “new normal”.

“Students at all levels are fully engaged in learning, in accordance with the principles put in place by the ministry to assure their health and safety. Both public and private schools are strictly implementing all Covid-19 safety measures,” he said.

According to a ministry report on education reform, one goal off the changes was the expansion of early childhood education services, as the number of children enrolled in early childhood education had declined, thanks largely to the pandemic.

Between the 2018-2019 and 2020-2021 academic years, primary school graduation rates had actually improved, from 86.19 to 91.72 per cent.

Across the same period, enrollment in secondary and senior high schools also increased, with secondary enrollment rates growing from 59 to 68 per cent and senior high school from 29.7 to 39.35 per cent.

Soveacha said that in response to the Covid-19 crisis, the ministry had launched remote learning content which focused the Khmer literature and mathematics. It was broadcast on national television and shared through the ministry’s social media accounts. It had also implemented literacy programmes in factories, prisons and correctional centres, aiming to ensure inclusive nationwide education.