Cambodia to Pilot New Secondary Education Streams in 2025

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct.04, 2025) — The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport will launch a pilot program introducing new secondary education streams in selected high schools beginning in Grade 10 during the 2025–2026 academic year.

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron announced the initiative on Oct. 3 during a meeting to prepare for the upcoming school year. He said the Career-Oriented Education Programme will also be rolled out for students in Grades 7 to 9 at selected lower and upper secondary schools.

As part of broader education reforms, the ministry will introduce three distinct streams at the Grade 10 level: science, social science and technical/vocational.
The pilot program follows strategic guidance from Prime Minister Hun Manet, who has called for stronger links between education and employment.

Pech Bolen, a young entrepreneur and education expert, welcomed the initiative, saying diversified pathways will help students pursue subjects aligned with their strengths, interests and career goals.

“We must prepare students to follow the new vocational education model introduced by the Royal Government,” Bolen said. “It is essential to assess students’ talents and interests in Grades 7 through 9 to guide them appropriately.”

He described the potential for a three-track system in Grade 10, jointly managed by the education and labor ministries, to support students with practical skills who may struggle with theoretical learning.

Bolen also emphasized the importance of age-appropriate development, starting with early childhood education.

“From ages 2 to 18, students require tailored approaches,” he said. “In preschool, the focus should be on health, safety and creating a clean, engaging environment that fosters a love of learning. Primary education must build core skills in literacy, numeracy, discipline and character.”

He warned that without a strong foundation in primary education, it becomes difficult to guide students into vocational or career-oriented pathways later.

Bolen also stressed the need for holistic education to build Cambodia’s future human capital, citing academic programs in Khmer, English and Chinese, as well as complementary learning initiatives such as financial literacy, digital skills and character development.