The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport – in cooperation with Room to Read Cambodia – is preparing to strengthen the implementation of a "life skills programme" at the primary and secondary levels.
The ministry held a meeting on April 19 on the implementation of the programme. At the meeting, staff from Room to Read gave a presentation of skills that would be taught as part of the programme such as building self-confidence, managing emotions, problem-solving and communication, with the lessons aimed at grades 7-12.
At the meeting, minister Hang Chuon Naron recommended that relevant sides take note of key ideas and teaching methods focused on enhancing life skills in the 21st century and choosing topics appropriate to the age of the students.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the inclusion of the life skills programme in the primary and secondary levels is an important foundation for them to be able to lead a good life.
However, Cambodian Independent Teachers Association (CITA) president Ouk Chhayavy was of the opinion that the programme should be implemented at the secondary level only because children at earlier ages were still best instructed in these topics by parents.
“We have to look at the growth of Cambodia in the next few years to see what skills will be most beneficial, but if we teach them perfunctorily, they will have an incomplete understanding of them,” she said.
