Cambodia’s education system has recorded striking improvements, with enrolment rates climbing across all levels and learning outcomes showing steady progress. The findings, released in the latest Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA‑PLM) assessment, were highlighted by Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron during the launch of the 2025 education budget forum in Phnom Penh on 22 December.

 

Early childhood education has seen the most dramatic change: enrolment among five‑year‑olds has surged from just 10 per cent to 70 per cent over the past decade. Primary enrolment has more than doubled, rising by 125 per cent, while lower secondary enrolment is up by 70 per cent. At the upper secondary level, participation has more than doubled, from 20 to 45 per cent. Dropout rates have also fallen, now at 6 per cent in primary schools and around 15 per cent in secondary.

 

In the current academic year, more than 330,000 students are enrolled in secondary education nationwide. Cambodian pupils ranked fourth in reading and mathematics among countries participating in both SEA‑PLM cycles, behind Vietnam, Malaysia and Myanmar.

 

The assessment credited Cambodia’s progress to sustained investment in both infrastructure and teaching quality. Schools have benefited from new facilities, expanded textbook provision and modernised teaching methods, while teachers have received more training and support.

 

Minister Chuon Naron praised education staff, government institutions and development partners for their role in driving reform. He urged ministry departments to strengthen leadership and accountability, and to focus on supporting low‑performing students. Classroom management, Khmer language instruction and professional teaching standards were singled out as priorities.

 

“To improve efficiency and effectiveness, all units must share information, learn from one another, reach consensus and continue strong cooperation with all relevant stakeholders,” he told the forum.

 

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to deep, system‑wide reforms, stressing that Cambodian students must be taught by motivated, highly qualified teachers engaged in continuous professional development. The pledge, officials said, is to lead with transparency and responsiveness, ensuring that the country’s education system continues to rise to regional standards.

 

At a time when education is seen as central to Cambodia’s future growth, the latest results mark a significant step forward—one that policymakers hope will lay the foundations for a more skilled and competitive generation.

 

 

-2025-12-23

Good for them. Cambodia needs a more educated population and unlike some, it seems, realizes that future prosperity depends on educated people

On 12/23/2025 at 9:13 AM, geovalin said:

Cambodia’s education system has recorded striking improvements, with enrolment rates climbing across all levels and learning outcomes showing steady progress

Thailands education system take note!!