Factory workers at the Svay Rieng Special Economic Zone participated in a literacy program. UNESCO Cambodia
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has announced the expansion of an educational programme for factory workers.
In addition to basic literacy, the programme, which began in 2017, will now allow employees to pursue their lower secondary or upper secondary certificates.
Ministry spokeswoman Khuon Vicheka said on March 5 that while the literacy programme will continue to provide a non-formal education, the new schemes, which will involve online studies and final exams, will offer a full suite of subjects.
“They will be the equivalent of the qualifications students earn in school. We want to encourage factory workers to push themselves, and even go on to higher education,” she added.
She explained that the expansion will give them the opportunity to continue their education. While previously they were taught literacy, they will eventually be eligible for high-level vocational training.
The ministry expects to help strengthen the capacity of workers, so they can obtain specific skills which will enable them to pursue their dream jobs.
According to Vicheka, the expanded programme is in response to the government’s goal of developing a highly-educated workforce which will contribute to the Kingdom meeting its goal of achieving high-income country status by 2050.
Fa Saly, president of the National Trade Union Confederation, commended the ministry for implementing the expansion of the literacy programme. He suggested that the ministry provide more teachers and schools to remote provinces.
“Our union only just learned about the expansion of the literacy training for factory workers, and I am optimistic about the ministry’s commitment. I would like the ministry to pay close attention to the study schedules it proposes, as many workers have very little free time,” he said.
The literacy programme has been implemented in 24 factories with 486 students, more than 9 in 10 of them women.
It is run in cooperation with UNESCO, Sipar, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Cambodian Garment Training Institute (CGTI) and the Cambodian Women’s Development Agency (CWDA).
In addition to Khmer language, it includes a basic mathematics curriculum, as well as education about domestic violence, occupational safety and health, traffic law and family planning.
