Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport undersecretary of state Soeur Socheata encouraged school officials to promote health standards among students and strengthen their participation in keeping the environment clean on campuses.

She made her suggestions while attending a March 30 award ceremony for the “Cleanest School” contest in Banteay Meanchey province.

“The focus of the contest was best practices, in terms of providing clean water and effective sanitation infrastructure, including toilets, handwashing facilities. A Caritas Cambodia programme was behind the contest,” she said.

Caritas Cambodia president Marc Gloekler pledged to continue developing school programmes in Banteay Meanchey and other provinces as far as possible, according to the ministry.

The development project was carried out at 53 schools, with 22 schools successfully completing the project, and being upgraded to a three-star rating.

Socheata said the experience gained from the project had helped many Cambodian children to develop excellent personal hygiene habits.

“This has led to an improvement in the school environment and the community,” she said.

“The project’s outcomes also contributed significantly to supporting education policy, as well as the exercise of human rights and children's rights to develop themselves into human capital with the full potential to achieve the national development goals 2030-2050,” she aded.