PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): Cambodia has launched a five-year inclusive action plan to ensure quality education for all children, marking a milestone in the Southeast Asian country's educational landscape, said a press statement on Monday.
Supported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the plan, launched Friday, aims to ensure that every child, including those with disabilities, has access to quality education, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.
"In Cambodia, children with disabilities are three times less likely to attend school than their peers, and Cambodia has one of the largest gaps in school attendance and completion between children with and without disabilities," the statement added.
Ung Borath, secretary of state at Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, said the adoption of the Inclusive Education Action Plan 2024-2028 demonstrated the government's commitment to providing quality education for all children.
"By addressing the barriers faced by children with disabilities, we aim to create an educational system that is truly inclusive and equitable," he said.
The launch of the action plan highlighted the pressing need for inclusive education, referencing the 2019 Cambodia Population Census, which revealed that 689,532 people aged five and above have a disability, with approximately 37,500 of them being children aged five to 14.
Will Parks, UNICEF representative in Cambodia, said children with disabilities face immense challenges in obtaining education, accessing healthcare, and fully participating in society.
"If swiftly implemented, this new plan will significantly enhance access to high-quality education for children with disabilities," Parks added. - Xinhua
