The training is part of a larger five-year plan by the ministry which will be completed in 2023. Interior Ministry
The Ministry of Interior on Monday started a 10-day training course for 130 district heads across the Kingdom to enhance their capabilities and leadership skills. Civil society organisations hope the training will help the government officials to better tackle district-level issues.
This training is conducted by the ministry’s National School for Local Administration (Nasla) and is supported by the National Committee for Sub-national Democratic Development (NCDD).
Nasla president So Munyraksa told The Post on Monday that the training will be conducted in three parts. The governor and council chairman of each of the 203 districts in Cambodia are expected to participate.
“We will train the heads about governance, implementing measures and effective leadership,” he said.
This training is part of a larger five-year plan by the ministry which will be completed in 2023.
The training comes after the ministry transferred more power to the district levels and gave district authorities more responsibilities, he said.
Prasat Bakong district governor So Platong joined the training on Monday and said he and other leaders learned lessons which will help them better fulfil their jobs.
“We will facilitate and fulfil our roles more effectively. I believe it is important for local heads to further enhance their ability. We have to lead well and come up with ideas for things without just waiting for orders from higher-ups,” he said.
Advocacy and Policy Institute (API) director Lam Socheat said the training helps district heads to facilitate and tackle issues for citizens.
“The governors and the chairmen of the district councils need to respond to development, youth problems and other problems to make their work more effective,” he said.
New district administrations, he said, have a lot of resources, power and work to be done. The heads, therefore, have to be capable and creative in achieving their mandate, Socheat said.
However, he said they will face a lot of problems. District-level officials seem not to cooperate with related departments, civil society organisations, youths and the private sector. “So I hope the training would improve this situation,” he said.
