Education minister Hang Chuon Naron and DPM Hun Many. MoEYS
Minister of Civil Service Hun Many, who also serves as president of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC), said that training the conscience of citizens cannot be done only in times of crisis but must be conducted regularly, in order to create human resources which will become pillars of society.
The remarks came as he addressed the opening ceremony of a course designed to train the instructors who will deliver a “Good Citizens’ Consciousness” programme, held on March 9 in Phnom Penh.
The programme is the result of a collaboration between the UYFC and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.
He explained that the workshop will cultivate the consciousness and good citizenship of young Cambodians, ensuring they become important resources for the nation in the future.
“I commend the education ministry for allowing the youth federations to contribute to the training of the youth,” said Many, who has recently been promoted to deputy prime minister on top of his ministerial role and is tipped to chair a national commission on education, health and public service.
He added that the UYFC provides refresher courses for students preparing for high school exams, participates in education reforms and creates separate programmes, like the one being launched.
Education minister Hang Chuon Naron explained that the programme would supplement the state curriculum, by training young people in the importance of good citizenship, thus promoting societal harmony.
“It will link theory to practical projects, and will include study tours to help students understand the history, struggles and sacrifices of the previous generation of heroes, in the cause of nation building,” he said.
“To ensure that they go on to become good citizens, we aim to promote knowledge, know-how and ethics. They need to understand where the Kingdom came from, where it is now, and where we want to go,” he explained.
Pech Bolen, an adviser to the Education Services Federation of Cambodia, believes the training of good citizens should begin from the moment children enter kindergarten.
He added that training citizens, especially young people, to have a patriotic conscience – through respect for the law and responsibility to the nation, the people and the government, in all circumstances – will make the country prosperous.
Bolen said young people must be encouraged to participate in volunteer community work for the good of society, and preserve the Kingdom’s culture of mutual respect.
