The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has issued guidelines to all private general education institutions that follow international curricula to promote the study of the Khmer language and Khmer culture to their students.
In a statement on February 13, the ministry said that in order to improve the teaching of the Khmer language and the understanding of Khmer culture and civilisation, from the academic year 2022-2023 all Cambodian students at all private general education institutions that follow international curriculum are required to take Khmer language classes as a compulsory subject.
The ministry also told the schools to prepare general knowledge courses on subjects related to Khmer culture and civilization, and include the curriculum of Khmer language, culture and civilisation during the regular study hours as specified by the ministry.
“All municipal and provincial education departments must disseminate these guidelines to all private general education institutions that implement international curricula in order to ensure that they participate effectively.”
Ouk Chhayavy, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), supported the ministry’s instructions, saying it was a good thing because in principle schools in Cambodia are supposed to promote Cambodian civilisation and culture.
Chhot Bunthong, head of the Culture, Education and Tourist Relations department at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that in each country it is necessary to know what is foreign, such as cultures, traditions and foreign languages.
He said he very much supported the ministry’s instructions because it promotes the study of the Khmer language and culture and civilisation.
“I support it 100 per cent and when we learn the history, know the past and know our identity, then we know how to love history and culture, love the land, love the nation, then we are proud of our country,” he said.
