Labor Minister Hails BEEP as Lifeline for School Dropout Youth

BATTAMBANG, May 18, 2026 (KPT) – Labour and Vocational Training Minister Heng Sour on Monday hailed Cambodia’s Basic Education Equivalency Programme (BEEP) as a vital second-chance initiative for school dropout youth, during a field visit to the Battambang Institute of Technology.

Sour, leading a delegation from the Decent Employment for Youth in Cambodia Phase III (DEY III) programme, said BEEP is bridging the gap between education and employment by offering flexible learning and vocational training tailored to labour market needs. 

The delegation included representatives from the United Nations, UNESCO, ILO, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and other partners.

The programme has become a key mechanism for reconnecting vulnerable youth with formal education and skills development. Students shared personal success stories, including Sim Theara, who resumed her studies after dropping out in Grade 9 and later pursued advanced electrical training.

UN Resident Coordinator Vladanka Andreeva praised the students’ resilience and reaffirmed the UN’s support for equitable access to education. Sour emphasized that BEEP reflects strong cooperation between Cambodian ministries and international partners, contributing to the country’s broader human capital development goals.

The DEY III initiative has already assisted more than 30,000 young people nationwide in accessing skills training, entrepreneurship, and decent work opportunities.