Prime Minister Hun Sen suggested that new schools are built along with accommodation for teachers, and that provincial governors and donors pay close attention to the construction of dormitories to attract outstanding teachers.
Hun Sen made the call while addressing an April 25 graduation ceremony for over 2,000 trainee teachers at the National Institute of Education.
He noted that the government had introduced measures to make the training of teachers at the national and sub-national levels more effective.
He pushed for investment in housing for teachers, as finding accommodation remained a challenge.
“I appeal to those who build schools to pay attention to building as many houses for teachers as possible on school campuses, because many teachers face a long commute to their schools,” he said.
“They need to rent housing. I heard from one teacher in Kampong Speu province, whose children stayed in a hammock under a tree at the school. Therefore, it is necessary to think about building homes for teachers, so they can be near their place of employment,” he added.
He continued that if remote provinces, districts or communes want to attract well-qualified teachers, they must offer them accommodation.
Heng Vanda, chairman of the board of the Cambodian Higher Education Association, supported the appeal.
“This will not only attract competent teachers, but also provide them with a place to rest and study so they can strengthen their skills,” he said.
In a recent report, UNESCO said an accommodation shortage was a major reason for the lack of teachers in primary schools, especially in remote areas of Cambodia, despite high demand for educators.
The report explained that this meant a large number of teachers refrain from teaching in remote areas, which it said resulted in lower standards of education.
Last World Teacher’s Day, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron noted that his ministry is working to improve the quality of teachers by introducing higher salaries.
“The ministry strives to address the challenges that educators face in order to promote their profession, as they are crucial to improving the futures of Cambodian youth,” he said.
