The re-opening of the Buddhist Secondary School was decribed as a historical event

for Khmer Buddhists.

Prince Norodom Chakra-pong, vice-premier of the State of Cambodia presided over the

opening ceremony of the school on May 16 in the compound of the Lankar pagoda.

Before 1975, more than one thousand student monks attended Buddhist secondary schools

in Phnom Penh and Battambang province.

The new school, which is run by the cash-strapped Ministry of Religous Affairs of

the State of Cambodia, received applications from 474 students but currently has

places for only 80.

Chhorn Eam, vice-minister of Religious Affairs, said it was a priority for the student

monks to spread the knowledge of Buddhism.

He added that the ministry was seeking all kinds of assistance to help the students

in their studies and to expand classes for newcomers in the next term.