Primary school students in a classroom in Ratanakkiri province in August. PIC
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport in partnership with Plan International Cambodia (PIC) and the Child Rights Foundation, held a national workshop for the launch of the Safe Operation of Schools guidelines on October 24.
The initiative was funded by the Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential Financial Inc in Asia.
The new guidelines were presented to key stakeholders, including the ministry and provincial departments and the district office, as well as other relevant institutions. The collaborative effort aims to broaden the implementation scope of the guidelines across educational establishments, according to a PIC press release.
The statement highlighted that through their partnership, Prudential aims to enhance the safety and well-being of Cambodia’s children. By introducing the Safe School Guidelines, it said they are seeking to unite teachers, parents and the community to prioritise children’s safety and mitigate potential dangers.
Yi Kimthan, acting country director of PIC, said that the ministry has implemented the guidelines across 96 targeted schools to tackle the growing challenges in education.
The guidelines have three core aims: To shield students and staff from harm and to protect educational infrastructures, to formulate robust education plans, ensuring uninterrupted learning amid various potential threats and to augment students’ and stakeholders’ knowledge, promoting risk mitigation, resilience and sustainable growth.
“The implementation of the [guidelines] will bolster efforts to ensure the safety of our children. We envision a future where students learn fearlessly in secure environments, receiving quality education to achieve their dreams,” he added.
Chee Weng Yip, chief distributions officer at Prudential, emphasised that climate change is a universal concern, transcending industries and sectors. He expressed deep concern over its escalating damage, especially when children bear the brunt of its effects.
He said that the protection and safety of children in vulnerable communities is a top priority and added that the company is proud of its collaboration with PIC to roll out the programme, which aligns perfectly with their mission.
“Through investments in the education sector and the promotion of resilience in the face of disasters, our goal is to create a sustainable future where every child can thrive and fulfill their potential,” he stated.
Nat Bunroeun, secretary of state at the ministry, stated that the conclusion of the workshop signifies the commencement of initiatives under the Safe Operation of Schools framework. Learning institutions in various areas can begin implementing these actions, with potential evaluations at six-month or annual intervals.
He stated that the ministry intends to broaden this initiative to high schools, enhancing students’ understanding of climate change and disaster prevention. He noted that many such events, including floods, strong winds, landslides and lightning strikes, often result from man-made causes and frequently interrupt children’s education.
