Cambodia launches Jarai in schools, a world first

Cambodia has marked a historic milestone by officially introducing the Jarai language into its multilingual education programme, becoming the first country in the world to implement six indigenous languages written in the Khmer script. The announcement was made on 27 January in Ratanakiri province by Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports.

The initiative is designed to safeguard cultural identity, promote language rights and ensure indigenous children receive equitable access to quality education. Naron emphasised that mother-tongue learning not only improves academic outcomes but also plays a vital role in preserving traditions and cultural identity amid rapid social change.

“This is a key strategy to promote quality, equitable and inclusive education, by giving indigenous children the opportunity to learn in their own language with the aim of preserving their culture and identity in a sustainable manner,” the minister said.

The programme currently reaches around 7,500 indigenous children from pre-school to Grade 3 and provides employment for approximately 400 indigenous teachers each year.

It is being implemented across schools in Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Kratie, Mondulkiri and Preah Vihear provinces.

To ensure sustainability, the ministry has outlined priorities including continued research into Jarai vocabulary, improvements to curricula and learning materials, and expanded training for teachers in both mother-tongue literacy and multilingual pedagogy.

Scholarships will also be offered to disadvantaged and high-performing students, particularly from remote communities, to support access to higher education.

Six indigenous languages—Tumpuon, Kreung, Brao, Kavet, Pnong and Jarai—are now officially part of Cambodia’s multilingual education programme, out of a total of 24 indigenous languages nationwide.

The move has been welcomed by organisations working with indigenous communities. Vorn Samphors, country director of Aide et Action Cambodia, described it as a major milestone in recognising and promoting the language, culture and identity of the Jarai people. The Cambodian Indigenous Peoples Association also praised the inclusion, highlighting its importance for protecting traditions and identities within a modern context.

The programme is supported by the government with additional technical and financial assistance from partners including UNICEF, the EU and several international organisations.

Cambodia’s step is being hailed as a global first, underscoring the country’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind in education.

-2026-01-29