As of August 15, a total of 13 private general-education institutions had been recognised by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport for their grade 12 certificates.

According to ministry spokesman Ros Soveacha, once recognised, they are equivalent to the grade 12 general and complementary education provided by the ministry.

Soveacha recalled in an August 15 interview with The Post that minister Hang Chuon Naron issued a prakas on forms and procedures for measuring equivalency back on December 31, 2019.

The prakas’ purpose is to recognise and provide certificates of competency and certificates or equivalent degrees to students who finished final exams at private general-education institutions in the country and abroad that do not follow the ministry’s curriculum.

“The certificates issued by private institutions that the ministry has recognised are equivalent to the high school diplomas issued by the ministry,” he said.

On August 12, Chuon Naron issued a prakas on the equivalent value of high school diplomas issued by Berkeley International School (BIS) in Phnom Penh’s Tuol Kork district.

The ministry required the school to prepare a list of students who had passed their final exams, along with their scores. Once verified, the ministry would issue temporary certificates to the students.

The ministry reserved the right to revoke or deny certificates issued by the school if it discovers any inconsistencies in the examination process.

The prakas stated that the ministry will establish a committee from the education quality assurance and general secondary education departments and regularly monitor BIS’ curriculum, study process and examination process.