The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has announced the winners of the Samdech Techo Hun Sen Education Awards for the 2020-2021 academic year. The awards were created to acknowledge the best school principals and teachers in the Kingdom.
The ministry announced on April 21 that the winner of the best principal category was Chheng Rith, principal of Pursat Primary School in Pursat province’s Pursat town. He received a prize of seven million riel ($1,700).
In second place was Sim Rong, of Hun Sen Mouy Mithina High School in Takeo province’s Bati district. He was awarded three million riel. Khem ron, principal of Stoeng Hav High School in Preah Sihanouk province’s Stung Hav district, took third place at collected five million riel.
The strongest teacher in the country was adjudged as Hay Chakrya, of Sak Ang Samrong High School in Takeo. He celebrated his win with a prize of five million riel.
Loek Sotheana from Battambang province’s Pich Chenda High School placed second and was awarded four million riel.
The third through fifth teachers each collected three million riel. In order from third, they were Ol Mary of Kampong Cham province, Lim Sokun Dara of Phnom Penh and Kin Theara of Oddar Meanchey province.
There was also a special category for Grade 2 and 3 Khmer language teachers, recognising their important contribution to developing an early love for the unique language of the Kingdom.
First, and awarded 5 million riel, was Suong Sethika from Angrun Primary School in Takeo’s Tram kak district.
Second went to Chan Chakrya of Kampong Chhnang Primary school in Kampong Chhnang province and town. The prestigious title was accompanied by a four million riel prize.
As with the previous category, each of the third through fifth finishers received three million riel. In third was Sorn Chhengly of Kampong Cham. Fourth and fifth respectively were Kampong Thom province’s Touch Leanghoan and Battambang’s Pech Sophaon.
Ministry spokesman Ros Soveacha told The Post on April 21 that every academic year, the ministry evaluates and selects the best principals and teachers based on a set of strict principles and criteria. Once the municipal and provincial education departments have sent their evaluations, the ministry makes a decision, and the awards are presented.
