Education in Cambodia

Population: 14.4 million people

Literacy Rate: 73.6%

GNP: USD300 per capita

Human Development Index: 0.60 

The Policy for Curriculum Development for general education (Grades 1-12) has been initiated and developed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS). It is produced by MoEYS at the time when Cambodia is moving a head in all respects- economic, social and cultural.

It is intended that the policy will contribute to over all government plans and targets, including the Second Cambodian Socio-economic Development Plan, the Governmental Poverty Alleviation Strategies, the Education for All (EFA) for 2003-2015, the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) and the Education Sector Support Program (ESSP) and so on.

This Curriculum Policy is also a response to the demands of globalization, regionalization and individualization. The policy will contribute to equitable access in Basic Education, will expand public-private education partnership for high quality secondary education and increase accountability in developing standards in three school levels (primary, lower and upper secondary education).

Key features of the 1996 Core Curriculum have been upgraded and improved. For example, the curriculum policy establishes teaching time allocation, provide time in a curriculum for a Local Life Skill Program (LLSP) and offers subject choice selection for Grades 11 and 12 students by adding learning hours for each subject and students learn less subjects than before.

This policy is designed for a period of five years, 2005-2009 and will be reviewed in 2009 for another five years, for the period 2010-2014 in order to reflect the development of the country.

The MoEYS hopes that this Curriculum Policy is a useful resource for teachers, school directors, educational officers, parents, scientists, researchers and other stakeholders. The MoEYS believes that all educational institutions, local community, Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), International Organizations (IOs) and other stakeholders will cooperate and support the implementation of this policy.

Basic Education Curriculum

Grades 1 - 3, The purpose of the basic education (Grades 1 – 3) curriculum is to ensure that every child has a strong foundation in literacy and Mathematics and that they develop their health, physical appearance, moral understanding, learning skills and life skills.

Grades 4 - 6, The purpose of the basic education primary school (Grades 4 – 6) curriculum is to expand and consolidate students’ knowledge and understanding of Khmer language, Mathematics, learning skills, life skills, moral, and personal development that will enable them to pursue life-long learning and to introduce students to content in the areas of Science and Social Studies.

Grades 7 - 9, The purpose of the basic education lower secondary school (Grades 7 – 9) curriculum is to provide all students with a breadth of knowledge, skills, Khmer language, Mathematics, Sciences, Social studies, Life Skills, learning skills, life skills, vocational education, moral education and personal development necessary to enable them to contribute as productive members to the growth of Cambodian society and be able to further their studies at the upper grades, participate in other vocational trainings or to participate in social life.

Upper Secondary Curriculum

Grade 10, The purpose of the Grade 10 curriculum is to expand and consolidate students' knowledge obtained from the Lower Secondary education. In addition, schools must ensure the provision of a significant subject choice advice for students to study in Grades 11 and 12. The career advice provision must start from the beginning of the school year.

Grades 11 - 12, The purpose of the Grade 11 - 12 curriculum is to provide students with the opportunity for increased specialization through subject choice to develop a depth of knowledge in particular subjects or to take training-based vocational subjects in order to continue their study in higher education or to study vocational subjects or to participate in social life.

All students must take four Compulsory subjects: Khmer Literature, Mathematics (Basic or Advanced), Foreign languages (English or French), Physical and Health Education and Sport.

Updated On: 15.02.09