Request for school reopening rejected

THE Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has rejected a request by private education institutions to reopen schools but will refer it to Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Moniroth, who is also chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Committee for Combating Covid-19.

Education ministry spokesman Ros Soveacha told The

on June 23 that the request along with draft instructions for private schools on integrated teaching and learning for the academic year 2020-2021 will be forwarded to the finance minister for a decision.

The decision to keep schools closed was announced during a virtual meeting on June 23 between the education ministry and private education institution leaders to discuss the proposal submitted on June 16.

“The education ministry maintains its position that it will continue to suspend public and private education institutions throughout the country until further notice,” Soveacha said, adding that for the time being, these institutions must continue teaching online and follow procedures the ministry has put in place.

Representatives and leaders of private education institutions expressed hopes that Moniroth will see the difficulties they are facing and will allow schools to reopen.

Heng Vanda, director of the Vanda Institute of Accounting and chairman of the Cambodian Higher Education Association, said the education ministry understands the difficulties private schools are facing and will try to assist and make them sustainable.

But the ministry, he said, is also facing a trade-off as the pandemic situation remains critical.

“We are very sad when we go to a school or university that has been quiet for almost two years. Seeing this situation, we have almost no strength to enter the school. We cannot continue like this, otherwise the school will be closed [permanently],” he said.

“It is now almost payday for employees, and they [schools] have to spend $200,000 a month. Where can they get money from?

Pech Bolen, president of the Federation of Education Services in Cambodia, echoed Vanda’s concerns.

“Private schools have requested His Excellency Aun Porn Moniroth to examine the possibility of reopening private schools through a variety of study methods such as the combination of online classes and classroom lessons,” he said.