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EDUCATION
Traditional education in Cambodia was operated by local Wats (temples), and the monks were the teachers, the students were almost the young boys. During the period of French protectorate, the educational system was compulsory. It was operated on French model and divided into primary, Junior High, High School and Specialized Level including the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (2-3 year course depending on the educational program).
Most of these institutions were located in Phnom Penh and centrally run under different ministries such as: Ministries of Agriculture, Industry, Health and EducationˇK etc., but the size was limited. The Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) system was playing a very minor role in the development of human resources in Cambodia. As for the wealthy students and those who had scholarship, they could complete their university degree in the foreign countries such as: France, United States, England and ChinaˇK etc. After Cambodia was taken over by Khmer Rough in 1975, all the public and private schools were entirely destroyed. Most of the teachers and professors were killed.
After the liberation on January 7, 1979, the government of the Peopleˇ¦ Republic of Cambodia Regime did her best to restore and reestablish the entire social infrastructure and structure, especially in the field of education. More than 2,000 Junior and High Schools have been built in the cities and different provinces since 1980. As for higher education, a network of nine universities has been established again, they are as following:
1- Royal Phnom Penh University was founded in 1960 and expanded in 1988. There are eleven faculties of which six are in the field of social science and five in natural science (1,392 graduates).
2- The Institute of Technology was reopened in 1981 and has five faculties. For example: construction, electronics, agricultural hydraulics, mines and geology and industrial chemistry (250 graduates).
3- The Faculty of Business offers a four-year professional program in business administration or accounting and small business management (237 graduates).
4- The Faculty of Law and Economic Science offers a four-year professional program in law and economic science (411 graduates).
5- The Faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry provide training for doctors, pharmacists, dentists and assistant physicians (394 graduates).
6- Chamkar Doung Agriculture Institute has four faculties such as: faculties of agronomy, animal health and production, forestry and fisheries (120 graduates).
7- The University of Fine Arts offers training in the fields of painting, sculpture, dance, music and other artistic fields (144 graduates).
8- The University of Vait Moha Isei offers training in the fields of agriculture and management (299 graduates).
9- The Faculty of Pedagogy offers a four-year teaching program for High School (1,007 graduates).
According to the education statistic in 2000, there are 874 pre-schools (50,597 students), 5,274 Primary Schools (211,738 students), 363 Junior High Schools (233,278 students) and 140 High Schools (108,213 students) and 9 universities (4,254 Graduates). Some of the Universities are supported by the foreign assistance from Australia, France, United States, United Nations Agency and NGOsˇK etc.
In comply with the current need, the Cambodian government encourages to develop the human resources. Under such circumstance, a large number of the private Chinese, English and Vocational schools have been greatly increased since the free and fair elections in 1993. Among them, the most famous one with 15,000 students is called Toan Hoa Chinese High School sponsored by Chinese (Tieu Chav) Community.
The vocational training at General Level of government institutions and non-government organizations from 1991 to 2000 showed that 52,830 people were trained, in the following fields:
- Agriculture 1,545 Graduates equal 3.3 % - Business 360 Graduates equal 0.7 % - Construction 525 Graduates equal 1.0 % - Tourism 18,000 Graduates equal 34.0 % - Industry 31,000 Graduates equal 58.5 % - Others 1,000 Graduates equal 2.5 %
During the serious flood in 2000, 988 schools were damaged by flood and is estimated US$15 millions will be needed to repair. The policy of the second mandate of Royal Government of Cambodia (1998-2003) has firmly stated the Royal Government will continue its efforts in implementation through conservation and rehabilitation.
The 2001 new budget for education is expected to increase 18% to improve the education system, school environment and the living condition of the teachers.
Education is an investment for the future generations, the rapid development in the education will bring the great prosperity to the society and is also a main factor to develop the human resources in Cambodia. ˇ@ |
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