Cambodia Outlines Progress in Education Reform Since 2013

PHNOM PENH, Feb 13, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s Ministry of Education has highlighted progress in its reform programme, implemented in four phases since 2013, aimed at strengthening the quality of education nationwide.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Review Conference and 2026 Planning Meeting on February 11, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron said the reforms were designed to improve efficiency, accountability and learning outcomes.

The first phase, launched in 2013 under former Prime Minister Hun Sen, focused on personnel management, salary increases for education staff, national examination reforms, higher education, physical education, and service delivery.

The second phase, from 2015 to 2017, targeted public financial management, teacher deployment, reform of training centres, and the upper secondary school leaving exam.

Phase three, from 2017 to 2022, concentrated on expanding “new-generation” schools, piloting model schools, and reforming teacher training institutions.

The current fourth phase, which began in 2022, emphasizes system-building and capacity development through results-based management to address challenges across sub-sectors.

Since 2023, the ministry has introduced model school standards to guide reform in five areas: student learning outcomes, teaching and learning, community participation, school operations and administration, and accountability, Hang Chuon Naron said.