EXPERT RESEARCH STUDY ON THE CURRENT STATE SITUATION AND NEEDS IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR IN CAMBODIA WITH THE FOCUS ON SECONDARY AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION Students of the Institute of Electric Science, Phnom Penh (picture taken on 31 October 2017) FINAL REPORT (FINAL DRAFT) RESEARCHERS: RESEARCH STUDY COMMISSIONED BY: Andreas Reinsch, International Education Expert BO Chankoulika, National Education Expert CHHIT Muny, Junior Researcher, Education Research Council KHEM Malynou, Research Assistant 15 JANUARY 2018 Table of contents Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Intro 1 Purpose, scope and methodology of the study .............................................................................................. 6 Research Objectives ................................................................................................................................................... 6 Study sites included in the field research ................................................................................................................... 7 Research methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 8 Intro 2 Country and sector background .................................................................................................................... 9 Cambodia – some words about its economic geography ........................................................................................... 9 The evolution of Cambodia’s education system ...................................................................................................... 12 The education system in the 1950’s and 1960’s from a traditional to a western education system ......................... 13 Educational Crisis and Decline: 1970-1975 ............................................................................................................. 15 Abolition of schooling: 1975-1979 .......................................................................................................................... 16 Educational Rehabilitation and Reconstruction: 1979-1989 .................................................................................... 17 Focus on basic schooling during the 1990s .............................................................................................................. 18 PART I ............................................................................................................................................................................. 20 I. Regulatory and Policy framework ........................................................................................................................ 20 I.1. Regulatory framework for education and training in Cambodia ..................................................................... 20 I.1.1. Constitution (1993) ................................................................................................................................. 20 I.1.2. Law on Education (2007) ....................................................................................................................... 21 I.1.3. Labour Law (1997) ................................................................................................................................. 22 I.1.4. Complementary sub-legal regulation ...................................................................................................... 23 I.1.4.1 Sub-Decree No. 156/ANKr.Bk/2016 on the Organizing and Functioning of the MoEYS ................. 23 I.1.4.2 Sub-Decree No. 52/ANKr.Bk/2005 on the Organizing and Functioning of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training ...................................................................................................................................... 23 I.2. Policies and programmes aiming at the education and training sector (with emphasis on secondary general and vocational education and training incl. apprenticeships) ....................................................................................... 24 I.2.1. Education and training policy background ............................................................................................. 24 I.2.1.1 International conventions and education policy background ............................................................. 24 I.2.1.2 National Strategic Development Plan 2014 – 2018 (NSDP) .............................................................. 26 I.2.1.3 Cambodian Qualifications Framework (CQF) ................................................................................... 28 I.2.2. General Education and Knowledge Policies ........................................................................................... 29 I.2.2.1 Education Strategic Plan 2014-2018 (ESP) ........................................................................................ 30 I.2.2.2 Teacher Policy Action Plan – Ensuring the quality of teaching ......................................................... 31 I.2.2.3 Policy Guidelines for New Generation Schools (2016) ..................................................................... 33 I.2.2.4 Master Plan for TVET integration at Upper Secondary Level (2015-2019) ...................................... 34 I.2.2.5 Higher Education Vision 2030 and Roadmap .................................................................................... 35 I.2.2.6 Other General education and knowledge policies and strategies ....................................................... 37 I.2.3. TVET and employment related policies ................................................................................................. 37 I.2.3.1 MLVT TVET Strategic Plan 2014-2018 ............................................................................................ 37 I.2.3.2 National TVET Policy 2017-2025 ..................................................................................................... 40 I.2.3.3 National TVET Development Plan .................................................................................................... 41 I.2.3.4 National Policy on Industrial Development 2015-2025 ..................................................................... 41 I.2.3.5 Trade Integration Strategy 2014 - 2018 ............................................................................................. 42 II. Data analysis ........................................................................................................................................................... 44 II.1. Some basic information on general secondary education................................................................................ 44 II.2. Some basic information on TVET ................................................................................................................... 47 II.3. Some basic information on higher education .................................................................................................. 49 II.4. Some basic labour and employment market information ................................................................................ 49 II.4.1. Employment in Cambodia ...................................................................................................................... 49 II.4.2. Structural employment changes and education levels of employees ...................................................... 50 II.4.3. Cambodian workforce productivity and level of education and training ................................................ 53 II.4.4. Labour market needs and skills match .................................................................................................... 56 Page |1 III. Functional analysis of educational system in cambodia ................................................................................. 60 III.1. Traditions and cultural-historical factors influencing today’s education system ............................................ 60 III.1.1. Traditional Buddhist education .............................................................................................................. 61 III.1.2. Introduction of the French education model ........................................................................................... 61 III.2. The Cambodian education system today – Reforms and development ........................................................... 62 III.3. Education system governance ......................................................................................................................... 63 III.3.1. Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth ................................................................................................. 64 III.3.2. National Training Board ......................................................................................................................... 65 III.3.3. Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) ........................................................................... 67 III.3.4. National Employment Agency (NEA) .................................................................................................... 68 III.3.5. National Technical Training Institute (NTTI) ........................................................................................ 68 III.3.6. Higher Education Governance ...............................................................................................................