Ministry training aids decentralisation push for quality education
THE Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport is advancing its initiative to delegate education responsibilities to sub-national levels, now extending training courses on the principles, forms and procedures of education implementation to leaders and professional officials in four additional provinces.
The expansion signifies an important step in the ministry’s ongoing efforts to decentralise education administration across the country.
The three-day training, from January 30 to February 1, saw the participation of representatives from the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development (NCDD) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as officials from the four town-district administrations in Battambang, Pursat, Banteay Meanchey and Pailin provinces, as reported on the ministry’s social media page.
Ministry secretary of state Serey Chumneah said at the opening ceremony that the course represented a new step in implementing the deconcentration and decentralisation of education reform.
He highlighted the government’s strong will and commitment to prioritising and supporting the sector, while emphasising the importance of transferring education to the sub-national level to enhance management efficiency and improve the quality of educational services for all.
Kong Samneang, head of the Federation of Education
Services in Cambodia, commented on the importance of developing orientation procedures for professional officials in the sector.
He noted that both the public and private education sectors require more teachers, teaching methods and additional skills, and expressed his hope that the course would enhance the country’s calibre of education.
“Of course, to enhance the quality of teaching, it’s essential to refine and update our training methods. I also urge greater focus on the living standards of teachers, as this will be a key catalyst in advancing our education system,” Samneang said.
He urged the ministry to include schools and teachers from the private sector in the training opportunities, ensuring they have access to the same skills and methods as their counterparts in public schools.
According to the ministry, the training course was also conducted over three days in Kratie province, from January 24-26, involving more than 150 officials from Kratie, Stung Treng, Ratanakkiri and Mondulkiri provinces.
The training course covered three key management functions: early childhood, primary and non-formal education.
It also delegated three administrative support functions to municipal-district administrations across the country, including managing secondary schools, general education, youth development and physical education and sport, as per the ministry.