SEVERAL hundred first-year students of Phnom Penh’s University of Health Sciences continued to rally in front of their school on Thursday, calling on Prime Minister Hun Sen to intervene in their dispute with university administrators who have blocked them from enrolling in a second year of studies.

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association, said around half of the 2,000 students had been blocked from re-enrolling after failing their exams, but that 70 percent of those rejected wished to advance to the second year despite their results.

Peng Sofina, a 20-year-old freshman, said his exam results were never released, accusing the school of cheating him to keep second-year class numbers down.

“[The school] delayed my exams several times and did not release [my] scores,” he said.

However, Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, said that there was no other option but for the students to retake their first-year exams.

“We respect their honour and reputation, and are allowing them to retake the exam,” he said Thursday.