The Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (Cita) will hold a gathering of over 100 participants to mark World Teachers’ Day next week with the theme: Promoting teachers’ rights.

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport is also celebrating under the banner: Teachers are clever for digital education.

Cita president Ouk Chayavy said on Monday her association will mark World Teachers’ Day on October 5 with a gathering at Freedom Park and a procession.

“The event will be attended by at least 150 people, including members of the association, workers, students, and parents on Monday morning from 8am to 12pm at Freedom Park. Later, they will march in a procession and present petitions to relevant institutions,” she said.

Chayavy said although Phnom Penh Municipal Hall doesn’t allow the gathering and procession, her association stands firm and will continue with it as planned.

“Every year, we always stand firm, marking this day even though authorities don’t allow us to do so because we just gather to voice concern and show the poor situation of education in Cambodia.

“Our gathering is not incitement. We just want the government and the Ministry of Education to change some negative points,” she said.

Cita will present petitions to two institutions – the Ministry of Education and Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cabinet.

The association usually presents petitions to four institutions each year. But because of Covid-19, it has cut the number to just two.

Municipal hall spokesman Meth Meas Pheakdey told The Post on Monday that it discussed the gathering with a Cita representative, after which it allowed Cita to hold it.