UN praises Cambodia’s education reforms during ministerial talks

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 4 (KPT) – The United Nations has praised progress in Cambodia’s education reforms, describing them as aligned with global development goals.

UN Resident Coordinator Vladanka Andreeva made the remarks during a meeting on March 3 with Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron.

Andreeva said reforms carried out over the past two decades had responded effectively to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in expanding access and improving quality.

She stressed the need for continued collaboration to strengthen the sector, including preparing children for school, ensuring supportive learning environments and broadening opportunities for youth skills development.

She also expressed interest in learning more about the ministry’s strategic plans and emerging priorities, saying this would help ensure UN support remains closely aligned with both the SDGs and Cambodia’s broader human resource development strategy.

Chuon Naron welcomed Andreeva on her return for a second term in Cambodia and outlined key reform priorities.

These include expanding early childhood education, implementing school feeding programmes using locally sourced produce, and improving public school standards through model school frameworks and the New Generation School initiative.

He also highlighted reforms in teacher training, digital education and STEM subjects, as well as efforts to promote student health, youth development and 21st-century skills. Higher education reform and sports sector development were also identified as priorities.

Chuon Naron said cooperation with the United Nations remained central to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 – ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education – and expressed confidence that collaboration would continue to deepen under Andreeva’s leadership.