Private schools have been temporarily suspended for two weeks while public schools have been ordered to wrap up the 2019-2020 academic year to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
Grade 12 national examination, however, will still take place on December 21.
The announcement was made by Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron.
“The ministry would like to advise municipal and provincial departments of education and management of all public educational institutions to end the 2019-2020 academic year on November 30. They can then conduct a preliminary evaluation for 2020-2021 by January 11, 2021,” said Chuon Naron.
According to the announcement, the suspension of private institutions for two weeks will start from November 29, while learning will continue online.
The announcement followed Hun Sen’s recorded message on November 30 to the governors of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap province and the education ministry after the first case of communuty transmission was confirmed on November 28.
There must be suspensions of gatherings of more than 20 people for 15 days starting from November 30 in the capital and Siem Reap.
“The education ministry has to take urgent action related to school closures and ending the academic year. Further studying should be suspended for grade 12 students who are preparing to take exams too,” said Hun Sen.
Vocational training centres will also be suspended for 15 days.
Chuon Naron said on November 30 that measures to stop all gatherings will take effect immediately.
On November 30, the Aii Language Centres in Phnom Penh announced a temporary suspension of classes. The school allows students to shift from physical class education to online learning using Google Classroom, Zoom, Telegram, Messenger, Google Meet and other applications from November 30 until further notice from the education ministry.
The Grade 9 diploma examination, which is being held on November 30 and December 1, is taking place as planned throughout the country, education ministry spokesman Ros Soveacha said.
“The ministry sees management and exam candidates have followed prevention measures well. There are no noticeable incidents,” he said.
