To monitor and review the progress of the implementation of the education strategic plans and education reform strategies, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) holds an Education Congress every year.

The congress also serves to monitor and review performance in education, youth and sport, outline goals for the next academic year and review the annual activities compared to the goals that had been set out at the previous congress.

The academic year 2020-2021 was the third year in which MoEYS implemented the Education Strategic Plan 2019-2023 in accordance with the National Strategic Development Plan 2019-2023.

The Education Congress 2020-2021 looked at performance in the academic year 2020-2021 and the goals for the academic year 2021-2022 in response to educational performance in the Covid-19 context aligned with the Education Reform Strategy Phase 3 “Human Resource Training for Digital Economy Transformation”.

This article looks at the overall achievements in the education, youth and sport sector, the challenges faced in the academic year 2020-2021 and the direction for 2021-2022.

The Education Congress 2020-2021, which was held over three days from April 25-27, was opened by Minister of Economy and Finance Dr Aun Pornmoniroth, with the closing ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

There was also direct and remote participation from ministry officials, education, youth and sport departments in the capital and provinces, national and sub-national education staff and relevant ministries, as well as private sector and development partners.

The Education Congress 2020-2021 held three panel discussions on 11 topics:

i. Strategy for the 32nd SEA Games 2023 in a new normal;

ii. Youth development programmes for 21st century skills;

iii. Non-formal education linked to lifelong learning in a new normal;

iv. Centre of excellence and quality of higher education;

v. Digital teaching methods in higher education;

vi. Schools operating well and development depends on learning and responding to student’s demand;

vii. Secondary education towards innovation aligned with student dedication, the labour market and economic development;

viii. A good teacher helping students in all circumstances;

ix. Early childhood education in the context of educational reform;

x. Health education for living in a new normal;

xi. Teacher training reform.

The Education Congress 2020-2021 report showed that the education, youth and sport sector made four major achievements:

i. Achievement of the key indicators of the education strategic plan;

ii. Implementation of education reform under five pillars – the implementation of teacher action plan policy; reviews of curriculum, main textbooks and improvements to the learning environment; implementation of the inspection system; enhancement of the education evaluation system through various images such as examinations, national, regional and international testing systems; and higher education reforms;

iii. Implementation of cooperation financing projects;

iv. Management and implementation of the Education Strategic Plan 2019-2023.

Alongside the achievements in the education, youth and sport sector in the academic year of 2020-2021, there are challenges that need to be addressed, including:

• Policy formulation is not yet robust and systematically interconnected;

• Standard letters for the management and implementation of public institutions have not been updated in accordance with reform principles;

• Budget implementation at the central level is progressing towards the target indicators,

• A lack of information technology equipment and materials at the national level and sub-national level.

The outcome of the Education Congress reflected the progress, challenges and joint recommendations of MoEYS, and is an important basis for reviewing policies, strategic budget planning, public investment plans and annual action plans.

In order to achieve the goals for the academic year 2021-2022, MoEYS has set out a number of goals, including:

• Improving the quality of early childhood education programs

• Completing the National Action Plan for Early Childhood Protection and Development 2023-2028;

• Strengthening and expanding the implementation of the first grade reading and mathematics materials package;

• Reinforcing teaching methods and learning through STEM education;

• Strengthening digital education and building teacher capacity in the science subjects, and develop human resources in research skills, information technology, data management and finance;

• Enhancing the implementation of the higher education quality assurance system;

• Strengthening and expanding non-formal education programmes;

• Modernising youth development programmes in various forms;

• Fully implementing the physical education curriculum framework and other cross-sectoral reform directions in response to the new phase of education reform.

At the Education Congress 2020-2021 closing ceremony, Prime Minister Hun Sen made six important recommendations to promote and develop the education sector in Cambodia. These included:

• Continue to strengthen the education system to be responsive to the changing of national and international environment;

• Build and develop the capacity of the education system through ensuring the leadership and management of education officials at all levels, including the reform of teacher training institutions, improvements to the financing of cooperation, the development of education policies and plans, and the ongoing professional development of educators and teachers;

• Continue to develop digital education human resources training in the context of digital social and economic development;

• Continue to be highly active in the work of Scouts and youth by adhering to positive actions in society using the inspiring “good children, good students, good friends, good citizens” volunteer youth programmes to help local communities provide technical skills training and soft skills to young people in order for them to take advantage of job opportunities;

• Continue to be fully prepared in hosting the 2023 SEA Games in collaboration with all stakeholders;

• Improve health and hygiene in educational institutions by continuing to implement the “3 dos and 3 don’ts” approach and participate in preventing the transmission of Covid-19 in educational institutions, continue to pay close attention to support the mental and physical health of students that are directly or indirectly affected.

Overall, the achievements of the academic year 2020-2021 reflect the efforts and high degree of responsibility in overcoming all challenges – particularly the impacts of Covid-19 – based on the “rebuild, reform and resilience” of educational institutions in the implementation of the new normal in the education system.

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport will continue to address all remaining issues and set out the necessary response measures in line with the new normal in society, with the cooperation of the relevant ministries, institutions and development partners.