Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 23 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet declared that as long as the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) governs, Khmer will remain the national language in the country’s education system. He also underlined the importance of all Cambodians learning and preserving the Khmer language.

The premier spoke on Monday (Dec. 23) during his meeting with Grade A high school students at OCIC, Phnom Penh.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet underscored, “The opposition recently accused the Ministry of Education of introducing Vietnamese language as part of the national curriculum, claiming it to be a national language. I would like to clarify that as long as the CPP leads, Khmer will remain the sole national language of Cambodia.”

The Royal Government has long implemented policies to strengthen the Khmer language, starting from primary education. The premier expressed pride in the evolution of the Khmer language, noting its accessibility on modern platforms such as keyboards and Google, which he sees as a way to preserve and enhance its cultural value.

Prime Minister Hun Manet has consistently urged students to prioritise studying Khmer, beginning at the primary school level. In his first term as prime minister, he has committed to further strengthening primary education as a foundation for future educational development.

In a statement from Kampong Chhnang Province on 27 July 2024, the premier also highlighted the importance of nurturing students’ knowledge, morality, and virtues.

The Royal Government has recently established the national committee to promote the implementation of key measures in the Education Sector. The committee is tasked with leading, coordinating, and addressing gaps in the education sector to achieve the goals outlined in these key measures. These efforts include selecting target primary schools, identifying former principals with strong performance records, compiling best practices from successful schools, and providing training courses for trainers. Additionally, the committee is implementing support courses for target schools and conducting regular monitoring, supervision, and evaluation of results.

The Ministry of Education has focused on several key initiatives. These include promoting early reading, strengthening early mathematics education, increasing the number of qualified Khmer teachers for grades 1, 2, and 3, and establishing "Early Reading and Math Model Schools." These measures aim to improve foundational learning and overall educational outcomes for young students.
=FRESH NEWS