Selected Comments of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet to teachers, parents and students during the (first) informal visit to the schools engaged in the pilot program of the National Committee to promote the implementation of key measures in the field of education [Unofficial and translations]
Here followed are the excerpts of introductory statement of Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet during the informal visit to the school in Kompong Chhnang that is engaged in the pilot program to promote the implementation of key measures in the field of education(KME).
(5) Five-key sectors reforms placed under direct supervision of the Prime Minister
Suasdei (hello) everyone. Today’s program has not been pre-planned. My bodyguards did not know either […] the main task today […] is to meet you all here and to see the school […] and not only to visit, but also to ask what you think and understand about our efforts to put in place the implementation of key measures in the field of education (KME)? What needs to be readjusted, for instance. The parents, particularly, are they satisfied with the program […] I have asked His Excellency Pich Sophoan to organize this event under his chairmanship as (the leader of) the Secretariat (of National Committee for the Implementation of Key Measures in Education,) which is under direct leadership of the Prime Minister. There are five key rules that I set out, under my direct supervision, at the beginning of my term – reforms in public administration, education, health, village/commune safety, and out-of-court conflict settlement […]
(2) The number of students to attend KME schools have increased
A congratulations on what I have seen. Since its launch, I have received reports almost every week (regarding progress of the KME). As a first step, we have selected 42 schools to pilot the program […] we monitor how the program goes about and if there is any problem […] it has been my intention to come see for myself […] of the 42 schools (implementing the program,) there are 5 schools in Kampong Chhnang province […] According to the data, the initial number of participants had not been much. Week after weeks, in every pilot school of KME, the number of children to attend has been increasing. Here, we have recorded up to 96% (of the students joining the program). If we do not the parents’ support and encouragement for the students to come to school overtime, it may be difficult. So, in the last few months, the KME program has been positive […]
(3) A strong 12-year education prepare students with knowledge and attitude for higher learning or work
A teacher has just assured me that there are a lot of students now. Next year the number may be increasing as well. They now borrowed a basement building of the pedagogy office. The teacher said they may ask for the building completely to sustain the KEM program action […] we started from primary school. I have said even before I become the Prime Minister that human resources are the country’s main goal. Human resources need to have a solid foundation. We need to strengthen from the bottom up. For the seventh legislative, the Royal Government has set the key measure is to strengthen from kindergarten to 12th grade. When we have a 12-year foundation, our students will be strong in knowledge and attitude, and they are mature enough to go to school or work. As a first step, we embrace primary education […] we have ten thousand schools across the country. If we put in the ten thousand schools at once, we will not be able to run effectively and we do not know how to go about with the new program […] in this regard we first selected 42 schools for the pilot phase […]
(4) To replicate a model school to every schools
Before setting out the plan (KEM), since the beginning of 2023, we sent two research teams all over the country to study what are the challenges facing primary school? We have learnt from lots of experiences, including elementary schools, which have the same study standards. This means they received lessons from the Ministry of Education, but the application is according to the student standards. We (have put much consideration that) in the future there must be effort to achieve a similar standard primary school […] we see that there are many good and/or model schools across the country. The most prominent one is the Wat Bo School in Siem Reap […] this school (here in Kompong Chhnang) is more of the same because you have learnt from the same mentor […] we must do whatever we can to achieve and share the experience of one school to all schools. We do not wish to see a sudden transfer of students from one school to another (because the latter is known to be of high standard school). Other schools in Kampong Chhnang must be strengthened so that all schools (will realize to be model schools) […]
(5) Students learn general knowledge but also virtue and morality
Talking about thinking of our children, what exactly do we think? We think about their future once we are not there for them. They have to have access to education from an early age, in a safe and good school. The Ministry of Education (Youth and Sports) has been working hard from the time from scratch to get education in shape and to reform. We did a lot […] to organize and plan for it […] the former principals – all the retirees – came together as a group to share teaching experiences, and help look at the implementation (of the KME program) […] the (work) team reported to me of the success and I came to see them with own eyes. Today, I would like to meet with teachers, parents, students, and school directors to comment on how this program benefit the education efforts, and what other points they may want to see adding to it […] we are focusing on two main components – virtue and morality. Students have to learn the general knowledge better, but also possess the good attitudes […]
(6) The extra two hours of class for Khmer language and math subjects, and a review of what they have learnt in the morning
For the general knowledge, we have added two more hours to the normal school time. In the past, students studied only half a day. After that, it was over. The extra two hours of teaching/learning is for our students to participate in the Khmer language and math subjects, and to review what they have learnt in the morning, but they have not been catching up with them. We will add computers class […] as well as some hours for social skills to connect them to social works. Volunteering in social works, one does not have to be a scout or a Red Cross activist. S/he can help society in sanitation, environment, etc. and that could be useful for them when leaving school. Let me (end my introductory statement here). The time has come for me to ask some of you some of the questions. First of all, I ask the principal to compare the status of the school and student community before and after we embarked on the program. Are there any differences about our school? […]./.The rest are the conversations between Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet with school directors, teachers, guardians/parents and students regarding progress that everyone sees the key measures implemented in the field of education has brought to their community. Samdech Thipadei listened wholeheartedly to recommendations, and positively responded to some of their requests. For complete transcript in Khmer, please visit kh.cmf-cnv.org.kh
