Phnom penh: H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, held a meeting with Mr. Flavio Bonetti, the Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to the Kingdom of Cambodia, on July 29. The meeting aimed to review the progress and further enhance cooperation in the education sector between Cambodia and UNESCO.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the discussions also included preparations for the 75th anniversary of Cambodia's relations with and membership in UNESCO. Additionally, they focused on organizing the welcoming program for the upcoming official visit of the UNESCO Director-General to Cambodia. Mr. Bonetti expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership and outlined UNESCO's ongoing support for various educational initiatives in Cambodia.
UNESCO's collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) involves updating the Teacher Policy for its launch on Teacher's Day and supporting the implementation of the ICT/AI Competency Framework for Teachers and EdTech. Furthermore, UNESCO continues to assist in student learning assessments in primary education through the STEPCam program, non-formal education, and the Basic Education Equivalency Programme (BEEP). Collaborating with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, these programs help out-of-school youth gain certification and promote factory literacy initiatives.
Mr. Bonetti also highlighted plans for the UNESCO Director-General's visit, which will include showcasing Cambodia's educational achievements, field visits to selected schools, and gathering proposals and recommendations from the MoEYS. H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron welcomed the UNESCO delegation, emphasizing the value of cooperation in educational initiatives, particularly in teacher reform, which remains a priority for the Ministry.
The Minister announced that MoEYS will present a comprehensive report on teacher reform during the 75th-anniversary celebrations on Teacher's Day. The report will cover teacher policies and training centers. Additionally, the cooperation has yielded tangible outcomes, such as the early grade reading and mathematics packages, which have improved student proficiency in these areas.
H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron also mentioned plans to organize an exhibition and special report showcasing the use of AI, new teaching methodologies, and achievements in education infrastructure improvement at institutions like the National Institute of Education (NIE), Phnom Penh Teacher Education College (PTEC), and Battambang Teacher Education College (BTEC).