Minister of Labour and Vocational Training Ith Sam Heng said he wants the government to open technical schools under the Association of Technical and Vocational Higher Education Institutions (ATVHEI).

Meeting with ATVHEI president Nop Norin on Monday, Sam Heng said Covid-19 is under control and no one has died in the Kingdom from the disease.

He said the ministry is examining the possibility of opening workshops at technical schools first, and will consider all requests by the association before submitting them to the government for approval.

“[The Kingdom] is opening the education sector in three phases. First is the higher-standard schools, including those for children of diplomats or investors who study in Cambodia.

“We are examining the possibility of opening workshops first. We are requesting to open the workshops and are waiting for government approval,” Sam Heng said.

He said a working group will monitor all private and public schools. And if they don’t follow the guidelines, they will be suspended.

Norin said the association has taken part in many social activities and encountered some challenges. While training schools are closing their doors nationwide because of Covid-19, he is requesting the ministry to reopen vocational institutions under its management.

“[I] ask that institutes under the management of the ministry reopen. I ask that students attend schools again by following the guidelines of the Ministry of Health because association members are encountering problems renting buildings and paying operating expenses,” he said.

Labour ministry spokesman Heng Sour told The Post on Tuesday that classrooms are needed. He said technical and vocational education and training requires actual classrooms to practice lessons.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan told The Post that the decision to open the technical schools depends on the National Committee to Combat Covid-19.

“The government is trying to come up with measures to decrease risks related to Covid-19. The committee will decide on the request after it has been studied,” Siphan said.